Usually, I am sceptical of men of God who say they know what the Lord wants them to do because I noticed it always coincides with their interests.
Dr Joseph Siror, the CEO of Kenya Power, tests that resolve. I walk in on him issuing anodyne bromides and beatitudes: “God says the love of money is the root of all evil, not the amount.” “God wants to bless you more than you want to be blessed.” 13 minutes and some seconds. The gospel according to Siror.
But wait. He is blessed. Five children—one daughter, four boys. “I am born again, and I love preaching the gospel.”
Yet his passion for education is a Christian passion, the passion of wounded sides and dried blood, of giving something up now (time and effort) to assure the greater glories to come (achievement). His crown of thorns? A Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering from Shanghai Jiaotong University (China), MBA degree, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Nairobi, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London, and currently undertaking his pupillage while teaching his children programming, his other love.
“I was always good in mathematics, so I didn’t have to be good at anything else,” he says.
Then he cracks, his laughter filling every crevice, an electric shock delivered straight to the vein, like water in the presence of electricity.
When you strip away the Dr and engineer, what remains?
Just a guy from Cherangany in Trans Nzoia County.
What’s the hardest part of being you?
The pace I want things done. I want them done now. While working, and when coding and I have a challenge, I work till morning until I have the solution. I may be a little impatient with people when they tell me they want to do something next week when we could target tomorrow.
But as a preacher, isn’t that at odds with your canonical theology of being patient with your sheep, so to speak?
Yes, that’s what I am learning [chuckles]. It’s a journey, but at the same time, if we can do it tomorrow, why not? Patience does not mean lengthening the period of completing tasks, but when one fails, you can give them a chance. Patience and mediocrity are dissimilar.
Are you a strict father?
To an extent.
Is that how you grew up in Trans Nzoia?
Okay, I may not have been the most obedient of children! I may not have been the most hardworking at home either.
What was your Damascus moment?
Well, in terms of the capacity to understand, I never struggled in my education. That worked to my advantage. In Standard One or Two the teacher would take me to Standard Seven to read, and the students in that class seemed mesmerised. I didn’t struggle with sciences and mathematics.
What do you remember most growing up in Trans Nzoia?
I had to walk seven kilometres to my primary school, barefoot. There was a serious beating if you drifted from the prescribed path. True, I was not among the fastest runners. I remember a teacher who used to favour me a lot because I was good at math. There was this “disc” that someone would wear if they spoke their mother tongue or Swahili instead of English. I was one of the culprits but that teacher let me go [chuckles].
Because you were good in mathematics?
Yes [chuckles].
What remains unchanged about that boy in Trans Nzoia?
I have always been big, but now I have reduced. Do you know I used to average over 100 kilos?
Has any of your children picked up engineering?
My second born is a 4th year doing electrical engineering, and my third born too, both at Strathmore University.
How does that make you feel?
Interesting. What drove me was that I didn’t want to be puzzled by how things work. Like, how do you explain someone speaking in the US and you see them live on TV as if you were there?
How are you raising your children differently from how you were raised?
The most important thing is that they have time to study, and I can assist them. My dad reached Standard Eight and was a primary school headmaster at some point, but beyond there he could not assist me with my studies.
Do you have a special ritual you do with them?
We often pray in the evening and go to church together, but now I am in and out of town.
How does Engineer Siror take care of Siror the person?
I have always loved reading. I read so many Chinua Achebes, and the African Writer Series [chuckles]. I went to China for my PhD, then did law, which I completed in 2021. Last year I was at Kenya School of Law, I did nine units, but I failed one hahaha! I am planning to resit it this April. I am also currently doing my pupillage.
What is this you are chasing or running away from?
I like occupying myself, and when I see something interesting, I want to know more about it. Law is attractive in some aspects, and I want to have a grasp of it. Now I am thinking of doing arbitration. It is relevant for us as a company, especially in our contracts since the dispute resolution provision is under arbitration. I believe the better they understand, the better they can handle matters. Have I said I can speak about 30 percent Chinese? I tried Hebrew but I didn’t go too far…[chuckles].
Which is the book that most improved your life?
Kenneth Young, a teacher whose books changed the way I looked at things and biblical soundings. He emphasises that we should study what the Bible, not people, say. For instance, people often say, “We loved you, but God loved you more.” What cruelty is that? The Bible is clear in John 10:10: The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus said I have come that you may have life and have it in abundance.
Your plate seems full; how do you find time to read?
That is an interesting question. I just push myself. At KSL [Kenya School of Law], I would be in class from 5pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday; and then on Saturdays from 8am to 5pm. I missed a number because of meetings, but I would still push myself. When you stretch yourself, you discover that you can accommodate much more.
Kenya Power CEO Joseph Siror is currently undertaking his pupillage.
Photo credit: Boniface Bogita | Nation Media Group
What does the Madam say?
Okay haha! I have not asked her much. Perhaps she is wondering what is he up to. I don’t have any plans with law; I am just studying law.
What habit has best served you in your life?
Focus. I have a drive that I must achieve what I am doing. I am very firm in what I believe in, and that has landed me in trouble, which I am okay with. There are instances where I may have been wrong, but the principle behind it was right.
What is something difficult you go through that, not many people get to see?
Misunderstanding. Especially the role of Kenya Power and the energy sector.
What is a misconception people have about you?
That I am stubborn. I have heard someone say I don’t respect them because I did not cede to certain requests.
What have you become good at saying no to?
The third chapati, haha! I really like chapati.
When you think of the weekend, what comes to mind?
It’s dynamic because the days are too few. My boy would insist I take him to the club for swimming. Sometimes I travel to my farm.
What is the most important question one can ask a CEO?
Haha! That’s a tough one. Maybe just to understand what they are doing to ensure the organisation grows.
Who do you know that I should know?
Jesus.
What if I already know Jesus?
Maybe the saints then. And saints are here on earth; those who are born again are saints.