our roots

gym sessions. And these sessions should
be carried out witout the interferenc or
presence of non-team members.
Another issue is sports trips. We carry a
specific number of students on merit of
them being members of that particular
team. I usually have to amonish ‘joyriders’
who do not understand that we work
within a budget and I am also accountable
in case of any misfortunes.
Doesn’t that tarnish you as a villain?
Well at the end of the day, I am left with
no choice because in all fairness, only
commited team members deserve to go
on such trips. Yes, some do get resentful
but like I told you before, I keep talking to
them nonetheless. In fact, it’s only a few
who end up not understanding. I try to
explain to them how ethically wrong this
is and how it may affect their work ethics
even in the job market.
What have been your highlight moments
and what makes your job worthwhile?
Number 1, my job has kept me young. I
derive a lot of joy and fulfillment in when
interacting and dealing with young people
because they always keep me on my toes.
In so doing I learn very many new things.
You see, I was even forced to go back to
school because I could not catch up and
cope with the challenges around me. So I
have really liked; dealing with the university
students - seeing them prosper, plus
earning a living from my job and sustaining
my family through it have been some of
the most rewarding things about my job.
These have definitely made it worthwhile.
You mentioned something about going to
school? Tell me more about that?
When I joined Daystar, I was not a
sports professional so I had to go back
to school. Due to the nature of my job,
I needed a more professional touch to
add more precision and accuracy in all
I do. So I attained a Diploma in Sports
Administration and Management at
Kenyatta University.
What is the newest approach that you
have brought to your job?
Unity of the Daystar teams would be one
of the greatest achievements I would
credit myself for. Together with the then
Sports Secretary, ensuring that all the
teams came to be known as ‘Falcons’
could be one of the newest approaches
that I can put my finger on. Fostering a
team spirit in our students even after they
graduate and breaking the boundaries of
nationalities, ethnic groups, age brackets
etc. Thus ensuring that we are all ‘Falcons’
such that a rugby player can come and
cheer on chess, hockey , volleyball or
soccer, and vice versa. Having an easy way
of communication amongst the teams has
been one of my greatest achievements.
What comes easiest in your work?
My main job I’d say is the easiest. Just
having students participate in activities.
If let’s say I were told there’s going to be
friendly rugby match, I would ensure that
the pitch is marked, the jerseys are clean
and available and the referees are taken
care of, prior to the match for example.
That comes easy for me and across the
board in any sports. It has become part of
me that every detail is at the back of my
head hence the ease I am talking about.
Tell us something about yourself that
most people don’t know.
Hmmmm..., Mr. Mudah has been married
for 23 years now, to one wife called Betty
and we are keeping on well. I am a father
of a young adult who is currently studying
at Zetech University. I am a first-born
child to a family of ten and a role model to
many. I also take care of a nephew who is
an orphan and is currently in Form One. I
like encouraging young people about the
importance of family especially as we get
older. So that bit about my family life is
what people may not know.
Is there any defining moment or turning
point in your life?
It was in 2007, I was living in Nairobi when
I felt like the whole world was against me.
It was a time when my son had sat for his
K.C.P.E national exams. The country was
also in rough times with regards to the
post-election violence. I went through
a hard time looking for a place for my
son to join Form One. Fortunately,
through God’s Grace, my son was
enrolled in a secondary school. In the
same period, another miracle happened
where I moved from renting a house
to actually owning my own here in Athi
River. That really turned my life around.
It strengthened my faith and I began
to trust in God even more. Because at
a time when I least expected it, a time
when I lacked money for school fees,
and a position for my son in a secondary
schools, yet in a span of one year I
managed all these plus buying land and
building my own house. My life after this
has never been the same again. In fact
the idea of going back to school sparked
after this. I am really grateful to God.
Where do you envision yourself in the
next 5 years?
Five years from now, God willing, I pray
that I shall have attained a masters
degree in Sports Administration
& Management and hopefully
prepare myself for private practice
especially when I look at our devolved
government system. I will be looking
out for opportunities in the county
governments. I am privileged to come
from 3 counties by the way, I was
born in Vihiga County, I later moved
to Nandi County and now I stay in
Machakos County. So I believe I will have
something to offer any of these counties
professionally in the next 5 years.
Parting Shots. Do you have any advice
to offer other people aspiring to be
successful?
I would say, nothing good comes easy.
Not everyone will think you are right, so
always be ready to be challenged, accept
criticism and be ready to learn new
things at all times. Fearlessly express
yourself. Personally that has kept me
going and I have become a better
person to date.
DaystarConnect 2015 • 55