When a heavy commercial truck pulls out of a timber yard in Kericho and merges onto the highway toward Mombasa or regional borders, few road users realize that the person in control is a 33-year-old single mother from Brooke Village. Lyne Chelangat, who once faced ridicule for choosing a profession traditionally dominated by men, sees the driver’s seat not merely as a workspace but as a declaration of independence and self-reliance.
Chelangat attended Kimugu Primary School in Kericho County and completed her Class Eight education determined to pursue a path shaped by passion rather than societal expectations. While many of her peers pursued conventional academic routes, she was drawn to driving from a young age.
“I have loved driving since I was a child,” she says. “When I finished Class Eight, I decided to train as a driver because that is what I wanted to do. It was my passion.”
In 2013, she enrolled at Rocky Driving School to acquire professional driving skills, a bold choice at a time when few young women sought training in heavy commercial vehicles. Although she completed the course in 2013, it was not until 2025 that she fully entered the trucking industry, taking on long-haul operations that demand skill, focus, and endurance.
Her journey was not smooth. She faced scepticism and social resistance rooted in long-held beliefs that truck driving is a male profession. “When I joined this industry, I was met with ridicule because driving, especially truck driving, was meant for men,” she recalls. “But I wanted to be empowered. I wanted to stop borrowing. I wanted financial independence.”
As a single mother raising a Grade Nine child, Chelangat’s motivation is grounded in responsibility. She needed a steady income stream to provide for her family with dignity. Balancing motherhood with long-haul trucking, which often spans several days, is a considerable challenge. “It is not easy,” she admits. “I have to plan my trips carefully and stay in touch with my child while I am away. Some days are tough, but knowing I am providing for my child keeps me going.”
Chelangat gradually built her experience, working as a driver for a security firm, a funeral home, and an NGO before joining Wood Surgeon Company as a heavy commercial vehicle operator. Her current assignments require driving from Kericho to Mombasa and undertaking cross-border trips across East Africa, navigating complex customs procedures and adhering to international road regulations.
“Driving to Mombasa and even outside the country requires focus and discipline,” she explains. “You must understand your vehicle and plan your journey properly.”
During a recent assignment observed by Kenya News Agency in Kericho, Chelangat demonstrated the professionalism that defines her work ethic. She expertly maneuvered a giant truck into a car wash bay, carefully aligning it before switching off the engine and issuing instructions to attendants. She then methodically inspected each tyre, checking pressure levels and overall condition.
“Before any journey, I must ensure every tyre is in good condition,” she said firmly. “Safety starts with the driver. You cannot take chances on the road.”
Her male colleagues have since embraced her professionalism. “When you work well and respect others, they respect you back,” she notes. “In this profession, like any other, you must learn to get along with people.”
Chelangat’s earnings now support her child’s education, sustain farming activities, and meet household needs. For her, empowerment is practical and measurable. “My job helps me pay school fees and invest in farming,” she says. “I earn clean money, and that gives me peace of mind.”
At 33, she says she is only beginning her journey. Plans include expanding her farming ventures, strengthening financial stability, and securing a brighter future for her child. “I want to keep growing. This job has given me stability, and I want to use it to build more for myself and my child,” she adds.
Chelangat now encourages young girls to pursue their passions without fear, emphasizing the importance of discipline and focus. “To the girls out there, embrace your passion,” she urges. “Provided at the end of the day you earn clean money, do not fear any profession. If you are disciplined and focused, you can succeed.”
From her early days at Kimugu Primary School to commanding heavy commercial trucks across Kenya and beyond, Lyne Chelangat’s journey reflects courage anchored in purpose. On highways stretching from Kericho to Mombasa and regional borders, she is not merely transporting cargo; she is steering a powerful narrative of resilience, dignity, and self-reliance.
by Gilbert Mutai
