Even in her wildest dreams, Jane Mango could never have envisioned becoming a tractor operator.

Her plan, when she graduated from KCA University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education, was to find a job and settle down as a respectable teacher of mathematics and business studies.

However, today, she is on a very different career path, earning a living by operating a successful tractor business in Mituri village, east Uyoma, Rarieda sub-county, Siaya county.

In a recent interview with The Standard, Jane disclosed that her decision to switch from a teaching career and venture into the tractor business was born out of severe job scarcity and the need to make a living.

“I had wanted to be an inspiration to many Gen Z graduates, especially to women who are currently struggling to get jobs and have since put pressure on the government to give them the jobs it promised them,” said Jane.

Additionally, there was a heavy demand for tractor drivers, especially during peak seasons when many of them would go missing.

Business Operations and Income

Ms. Mango currently operates two tractors, which she acquired from her father, Mr. Mango Ogwang. Her services, offered across the Uyuoma region, include tilling land, supplying water for local events, providing transportation, and moving heavy goods.

Over time, she has become an expert in operating, driving, and repairing the heavy machines, with her mantra being that what a man can do, a woman can do better.

In a week, she makes at least sh 20,000 during off-peak season and sh 40,000 during peak season. This income translates to about sh 80,000 – 120,000 in a month.

Comparing this income to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC)’s salary structure under the newly signed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) reveals that what Jane currently makes is equivalent to what teachers under the job groups D3-D5 make.

This job group comprises administrative positions such as deputy headteachers, headteachers, and senior principals.

Before venturing into the tractor operator business, Jane had been employed to teach computer studies at a local NGO institution. However, she decided to quit because of challenges such as job insecurity and inadequate pay.

“I decided to quit and started driving a tractor, as I find peace in doing it. One might think that, being a lady, clients may be afraid of trusting her to do a good job of tilling their land with her tractors. However, this statement cannot be any further from the truth.

Challenges

According to Jane, running a tractor operator business comes with its own set of challenges. For starters, one needs to carefully manage their income because tractor maintenance can be quite expensive.

Another challenge is doubt from skeptical clients, who sometimes worry that she is too young and inexperienced to handle such heavy machinery.

There is also the challenge of getting a competent, consistent, and trustworthy driver. “I have two tractors and l can’t drive both of them at the same time, and there are times when both tractors are engaged by my customers, so hiring another driver has been a big headache,” she disclosed.

Another challenge is that some drivers do not submit all their earnings despite the fact that she pays them a monthly salary. Others are alcoholic degenerates who never arrive at work on time and often disappear once they are paid.

“You can’t rely entirely on them. This reduces productivity,” she said

Nevertheless, she is determined to grow the business, and her current plans include buying a third tractor and opening supermarket outlets at Ra-geng’ni and Madiany shopping centers.

She is also pursuing a master’s degree in project management at the University of Nairobi.

Her parting shot is for unemployed youths to think outside the box and consider venturing into business instead of waiting for formal employment.