PERIS’S GROWTH STORY
A Career She Had Only Imagined
In Kenya, transport is not just a service. It is what keeps daily life and business moving. From commuters to long-haul trucks, the movement of people and goods depends on vehicles that stay on the road, and a single breakdown can stall work, cut off income and ripple into delays across supply chains and households. OKOA Rescue, a roadside-assistance and fleet-support platform, connects commercial vehicles that break down with a network of vetted mechanics, tow trucks and spare-part providers across Kenya and East Africa.
The company trains and employs young people as technicians, dispatchers and service operators, creating pathways to skills, independence and confidence. For many, OKOA Rescue is a chance to fully realise their potential. Peris, a young woman building her career in the transport sector, is one powerful example.
With a scholarship in automotive studies, she had gained valuable technical knowledge, yet the opportunities to apply it were limited. She worked tirelessly in various roles to sustain herself, showing diligence, adaptability and responsibility at every turn.
I took opportunities where I could, but there was no clear direction for growth.
Peris Murugi Karimi, Operations Associate, Nairobi
Her trajectory changed when a connection from her scholarship network introduced her to OKOA. She began as a field analyst, helping onboard mechanics, assessing their skills and keeping a growing network engaged. The work was structured, visible and offered a pathway to develop her career in ways she had only imagined.
As OKOA expanded, so did Peris’s responsibilities. She moved into communications, liaising with service providers and updating them on assessments. Later, as the company formalised its rescue operations, she transitioned into the call centre, the heart of service delivery. Today, as an operations associate, she manages vehicle rescues from start to finish: diagnosing issues, dispatching the right technician, monitoring progress and making sure clients are informed and satisfied.
Her progression was shaped by her own ambition and initiative. When she recognised that a role was not the best fit, she spoke up, and leadership supported her move into a position where her strengths could shine. Those moments reinforced her confidence and showed OKOA’s commitment to internal mobility and growth.
Now, when a client calls, I know I’m the one responsible for making sure everything works.
Peris Murugi Karimi, Operations Associate, Nairobi
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Job Quality, Not Just Job Numbers
OKOA’s goal is to get trucks, buses and vans back on the road as quickly as possible, cutting the downtime and the costly disruptions that come with it. By offering 24/7 rescue, on-site repairs and access to spare parts, it centralises what used to be fragmented, unpredictable assistance into a single, coordinated service. For transport operators, that means less idle time, fewer lost deliveries and fewer instances where spoiled goods or penalty fees eat into already tight margins.
25-30 min
Typical OKOA rescue response time in many areas, so one breakdown no longer spirals into a wider crisis.
Behind that service is a deliberate choice about the kind of work OKOA creates. Young people learn technical repair skills, digital tools and customer service, which makes them more employable and more resilient in a competitive economy. Job quality matters as much as job quantity here: young people are employed, and they are given the structure, training and clear pathways that let them grow.
For Peris, the impact has been tangible. With predictable income and professional recognition, she has gained autonomy, managing her own expenses, pursuing personal goals and supporting her family. She now dreams of starting her own business and creating opportunities for others, particularly young women navigating similar barriers.
What comes next
Peris’s journey shows the broader impact of OKOA. By formalising work that was once informal, providing training and creating clear pathways for growth, the company lets young talent thrive. Her ambition now points outward, toward building something of her own and opening doors for the young women who come after her.
