A Kenyan security officer, Emmah Dee, has spoken out about the stigma associated with her job, pushing back against assumptions that people in her line of work are uneducated or without ambition. In a post shared recently, Emmah laid out what it feels like to be judged not by character or effort, but by a job title. She shared her experiences and those of her fellow security officers, highlighting the quiet indignity that comes with wearing a uniform.
Emmah made it clear that for many security officers, this career was not the result of limited dreams but of life taking an unexpected turn. She wrote that life simply took them through a different route, and they chose to work, earn a living, and build their lives slowly. Her message was one of dignity and respect for honest work, emphasizing that "Kazi ni kazi!" or "work is work."
Emmah described specific moments that many in her profession will recognize instantly, such as being called out with demeaning nicknames like "Soja" or "Watchman" across a compound. Rather than confront such behavior, she and her colleagues absorb it, smile, and carry on. Her reasoning is grounded and pointed, noting that at the end of the month, the same person being spoken to dismissively is the one settling bills from an honest salary.
Emmah addressed critics directly, warning that status is never permanent. She wrote that today someone may be driving a big car, but tomorrow life can teach them that every honest hustle deserves respect. Her message resonated with many working Kenyans who feel but rarely say aloud that the labor of showing up every day, regardless of the role, carries its own form of dignity.
What stands out in Emmah's message is its refusal to be defensive. She does not ask for sympathy or special treatment. Instead, she challenges the idea that respect should be tied to what someone does for a living rather than how they conduct themselves. Emmah wrote that people can call her whatever they want, as long as her work is honest, her table has something on it, and her dreams are still alive.
Emmah's post sparked a broader conversation about respect, dignity, and honest work in Kenya. Her message was well-received, as it named something many working Kenyans feel but rarely express openly. The post encouraged people to rethink their attitudes towards different professions and the people who do them.
The conversation around Emmah's post highlights a crucial issue in Kenyan society, where people's worth is often measured by their job titles rather than their character. Emmah's story serves as a reminder that every honest hustle deserves respect, and that dignity is not determined by what someone does for a living, but by how they conduct themselves.
Key points
- Kenyan security officer Emmah Dee speaks out against being judged due to her uniform.
- Emmah challenges the idea that respect should be tied to what someone does for a living rather than how they conduct themselves.
- Emmah's post sparks a broader conversation about respect, dignity, and honest work in Kenya.
