Behind every milestone in Philip ole Kamwaro’s career lies a quiet faith. The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) finance head says his deep personal conviction has carried him through milestones that once felt like detours.
Philip ole Kamwaro sees a divine plan when he looks back on his life. He is certain that every challenge he has faced prepared him for a better season. The KMPDC director of corporate services, who began his life in a small village in Narok County, has a conviction that has seen him through times of loss and uncertainty.
“The loss of my mother Margaret Kamwaro when I was just eight years old left a dent in my heart, but God had and still has a plan for me. After this huge loss, my uncle Julius and aunt saw to it that I completed my primary and secondary education. For the diamond to shine, it must go through intense heat. God had to ensure I went through that so that the world could acknowledge that He is Almighty,” he said.
After high school, he had nurtured dreams of studying architecture, but this slipped away for lack of fees. Soon after, he discovered accounting, a field he later came to see as divinely appointed.
“I did not give up. I told my God that no matter what may come, I will one day make it big. I was able to survive one day at a time and continue hoping that one day things would be great. It is there that I learnt the spirit of hard work and teamwork. It is there I learnt there is a God in heaven,” he said.
Philip’s faith was once again tested in 2018 when all heads of procurement and accounts in government were suspended for vetting. Consequently, he could not travel or seek another job.
“I had worked diligently to uphold the highest standards of integrity throughout my professional career, so the thought of being forced to defend myself was beyond my imagination. The process was opaque. I went from office to office to seek the way forward with no success,” he said.
A divine hand
When the clouds finally cleared, Philip returned to his duties renewed. He has since risen to oversee four departments and played a key role in the construction of KMPDC’s headquarters. Every milestone, for him, is proof of a divine hand in his life.
“I must make a special dedication and acknowledgement to spiritual parents, my wife Joyce, and my children for their unwavering support and prayers. It really does take a whole village to educate a child, and I am a true testimony to that. My mum, dad and brothers also came through for me in ways I cannot explain. God has been walking with me side by side and I still believe my destiny is yet to arrive,” he said.
He often refers to Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, a book he describes as steeped in biblical principles. He sees faith as a daily discipline that allows anyone, regardless of background, to rise beyond their present limitations.
“Through focusing on having unshakable desire, having absolute faith in oneself, constant training of the subconscious mind to believe in succeeding, and developing a detailed plan for success, anyone despite their background can think and grow rich. This book borrows a lot from the Bible, which I consider a supreme book, that has made me reach where I am today. My conception of triumph transcends the self, requiring one to make a lasting contribution to humanity. That, to me, is faith in action,” he said.
