John Michael Orimbo also known as Johny Drummer was born and bred in Naivasha, Kenya. In his early childhood, he was subjected to an experimentation polio (injection) vaccine. The vaccination led to osteogenesis, brittle bones and later led to disability at the age of about 10 years.
He was a bright and curious pupil in primary school. He managed to perform well in his final primary school certificate even after missing the examination the previous year because he had to undergo an orthopedic operation to work on brittle bones.
My teachers used to cane me if I did not score high marks. I was always number two in class. I tried to top the class in all my primary school years but there was a girl called Michelle who held position one to the end. What was up with that Michelle? Give a brother at least one chance to outshine you for crying out loud. (laughs)
His leadership journey took off in high school where he managed to be the top presenter at the National science congress within two weeks of enrolling in his first year. He was later selected as the secretary general, the chairman of the science club and the secretary of the peer counseling club.
He served in the junior achievement club and was able to organize a talent drive initiative that hosted key stakeholders and the media.
John joined the University of Nairobi to pursue his Bachelor of Education- Early Childhood Education at the College of education and external studies, Kikuyu campus.
In his first year, he campaigned for congress and won. Under his leadership, John managed to implement high speed Wi-Fi, establish a productive information center, improved sanitation and environmental campaigns. He ensured modern equipment for entertainment were provided and established a VCT in the health center.
John won various tournaments as a youth advisory delegate for children and youth under the UNEP environmental program. He was a member of over six clubs in campus and was re-elected as mayor-top congress in his final year.
After campus, Johnny volunteered at the UN Major Group for Children and Youth. Here, he was able to connect and work with the disabled on disaster risk.
His interest in persons with disabilities grew as he pursued advocacy, equal opportunities, inclusion and decision making.
I still serve on voluntary basis as a Disaster Risk Regional Focal Point for Eastern and Southern Africa. I love the experience because it has opened my eyes to the lack of information on disaster risk for persons with disabilities which I want to change.
I participated in the The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) in Japan in 2015. My purpose and full concentration is on persons with disabilities because I am one myself. I know and understand the challenges first hand.
2016 was a great year as he was selected to join the YALI E.A Regional Center. He worked with the YALI team by proposing on various ways persons living with disability can be reached so that they have an equal chance of applying for the program.
John organized for a community outreach to Malezi Community Center while at the center and was able to raise money and supplies for 30 children living at the home.
My experience at YALI was mind blowing. It was a huge platform, open minded training, great connections. By the way, I was able to overcome my fear of heights- tremendous progress! I was awarded a fun certificate as the king of cohort 10. Fun times. (laughs,taps and flexes his arms to show off his muscles).
The young leader recently participated in UNEA 2 conference where he concentrated on advocacy work for persons with disabilities. When he got a chance to speak to the executive director, Mr. Achim Steiner, he pitched an idea on inclusion, accessibility and participation of PWDs which was endorsed and is currently in the making.
He strongly lobbied with member states representatives, major groups and stakeholders where his interventions overwhelmingly received strong endorsements.
The Major groups and stakeholders adopted his prominent interventions in to MGS Final statement that was passed in one of the 25 resolutions adopted in the final plenary of the UNEA 2 forum.
John was also a participant in the High level political forum for sustainable development in July 2016 in New York as an ambassador for change. His agenda was that of making sound interventions in plight of the children, youth and persons with disabilities future inclusion and participation in the Global Sustainable Goals Initiatives.
I always encourage the youth to stretch themselves. Try out different things. If you believe in yourself hard enough, others will have no option other than believe in you.
I remember volunteering in one of the remotest parts of Pokot. The place was super-hot. We had to walk kilometers upon kilometers to fetch water. I climbed one of the most feared slippery hill/mountain in Pokot that has the most strong Pokot men refuse to climb. It's called the death mountain.
I did it as a person with disability and one who has mobility problems. The people from Pokot were shocked but not as much as I was. They treated me like a king thereafter.
This shows that when you are determined to pursue your dreams, you can overcome all the hurdles. You just need to believe.
In the next 10 years, Johnny plans to run an innovative hub for persons with disabilities. He is currently working on a mapping program for East and Central Africa.
Music being his second name, Johnny is working on exploring further and expanding his music recording studio. He enjoys his free time serving in church as a drummer which he confesses makes him irrationally happy. Keep soaring and changing lives John.
There is a plan and a purpose, a value to every life, no matter what its location, age, gender or disability. Sharron Angle.
