There was a celebration at Kapilat Village in Elgeyo Marakwet County after a widow who has been living in abject poverty, spending nights in a rain-soaked and insect-infested wooden structure, was relocated to a new modern house put up by well-wishers.
Forty-year-old Sally
Cheptanui Kotut, a mother of five, has for the last ten years lived a
deplorable, neglected life that has weighed on her strength and health, making
her appear older than her age.
Her roof and
wall-leaking structure, which had been her home, was located in a swampy area.
With the ongoing heavy
rains, water flowed through it, forcing her to sleep on an old bed with her two
youngest children in the waterlogged house.
“This has been our
home for more than ten years, and we have braved many days without food,
spending harrowing cold nights, but there was nothing else I could do,” says
Cheptanui.
She suffered the
stigma of being a widow, as she was neglected and frustrated after the demise
of her husband, who was their breadwinner.
However, despite living in such conditions, she demonstrated the remarkable determination of a mother to provide for
her young children at all costs.
She went out to work as a casual labourer, earning an average of Sh200 per day, which she used to partly cover her children's school needs and provide at least one meal for them.
The community in the
area chipped in on many occasions, donating food items at times, and some of
them took in her three older children, helping pay their fees at local day
schools.
Samwel Kiprop, the immediate former assistant chief for the area, says the community has been helpful to the widow, but the resources were not adequate.
“As a community, we
knew her plight and have been helping her in various ways as we looked for a
long-term solution, and today we are grateful for what God has done,” said
Kiprop.
Businessman Alex Koech, who is also the patron of the Mangara Foundation, learned of the widow's plight and immediately helped mobilise resources to put up a decent, well-furnished house for Cheptanui and her family.
Cheptanui broke down
in tears and was speechless as Koech arrived with other well-wishers and took
her from her terrible living conditions, relocating her to the new house in the
same village.
“I have never met this lady before, and I
learned of her plight through residents of this area. I’m grateful to friends
and well-wishers who have worked with me to help change her life,” said Koech.
Amid prayers, song,
tears of joy, and dance, Koech—who is also a prominent personality in Keiyo
South—officially opened the new house for Cheptanui and handed over the keys to
her.
“God has blessed you
with beautiful children, and this house is also a blessing from God through us.
The same God will open doors for your children, and they will bless you in even
more, bigger ways,” said Koech.
He said Cheptanui had
been able to educate her children, and one of her sons had completed Form Four
but could not proceed due to poverty.
Koech has requested that Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen help him secure a position for his son during the
upcoming recruitment for the National Police Service.
“By doing so, he will have empowered this
family once and for all,” said Koech.
Koech, through the
foundation, has been involved in several community projects in the area and says his wish is to see weaker members of society empowered to lead decent lives.
Cheptanui’s
neighbours, Kimtai Nimrod and Edwin Kipruto, were full of praise for Koech for
helping change the life of her family.
“As a community, we
are grateful to Koech and Mangara Foundation for what they have done for this
family. We will not forget this act,” said Nimrod.
Cheptanui said she was
grateful to Koech for touching the lives of her family in a way they will never
forget.
“Now I will sleep
soundly with my children, thanks to Koech. May God bless you so that others
like me can also benefit,” she said.
