A retired former Executive Director of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), Samson Osero has re-invented himself to become a columnist on workplace issues with People Daily; a freelance writer to local dailies; author of Transition into Retirement and Associate Human Resource Development (HRD) and Organization Development (OD) Consultant at Resource Plan. He is a most sought-after national speaker on retirement which he believes can be made purposeful, enjoyable and fulfilling. He is currently writing his second book – Starting a Side Hustle.
Having started off as a secondary school teacher at Nakuru High School in 1981, Samson has a working experience in both the public and private sectors spans over two and half decades. He lectured in business studies at both the Government Training Institute (GTI), Mombasa (now Kenya School of Government) and the Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC). He spearheaded the introduction of the KTTC Higher Diploma in Entrepreneurship Course. This curriculum was part of the ILO-funded project for promotion of enterprise culture in Kenya. Under the project, he published four booklets on small enterprise development.
Later on Samson worked with Kenya Management Assistance Program (KMAP) as Business Development Manager. He coordinated business training programs for owner-managers of small and medium enterprises. He was responsible for training business counselors to offer their services to registered KMAP clients. He published the KMAP Workbook on Writing a Business Plan. In 1996 Samson joined the Institute of Personnel Management (IPM), Kenya, (now Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) to establish and manage its college which grew to become the College of Human Resource Management. It was the first college to offer the Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management in Kenya.
While still at the Institute, Samson developed, implemented and evaluated a wide range of training programs that met the training needs of HR professionals. He left a notable legacy at IHRM for working with stakeholders to legislate the HR profession in Kenya. This initiative culminated in the enactment of the Human Resource Management Professionals Act No. 52 of 2012. He was also responsible for the establishment and taking off of the Human Resource Management Professionals Examinations Board (HRMBEP) that certifies HR professionals. Samson holds a Masters degree in entrepreneurship development from University of Illinois, USA and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) earned at St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada. He is widely travelled to countries such as Australia, Britain, Scotland, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria for promotion of HRD.
Samson lives with his wife, Josephine Kerandi, in Kiserian, near Nairobi. They are blessed with two adult sons and one adult daughter. Proud grandparents, they regularly enjoy the company of their nine grandchildren.