Woman's struggle to raise four kids after their parents died mysteriously

LEAH WANJIKU 60 has been living with her four grandchildren since 2008 after their parents (daughter and son-in-law) passed on mysteriously. However, for her, seeing her eldest granddaughter leave school at form three due to lack of fees is a nightmare she is still fathoming. She tells SILAS NYAMWEYA how her struggles to keep her grandchildren in school have led her to depression.

What exactly transpired to the point of being left alone with your grandkids?

Well, I am currently taking care of my four grandchildren, two of whom were left by their deceased parents (my daughter and her husband) who died mysteriously in 2008. It was my daughter who died first and her husband followed a few months later. The other two were left under my care by my first-born daughter who disappeared in 2020 and we have not been able to trace her to date.

What effect has all this had on you?

The situation has pushed me into depression and as you can see, I am just from the hospital taking medications for depression and pressure-related ailments. The burden of taking care of these kids is becoming too much considering that my age is advanced.

The worst thing is seeing my granddaughter, now in Form Three at Nyati Girls, Murang’a drop out of school due to lack of school fees. I have tried everything I can including visiting local leaders to no avail. Besides, even getting food for these kids is a daily struggle and we are now reduced to depending on well-wishers.

I even tried reaching to the principal of the school to see if he can consider the case of this girl since she is an orphan but he dismissed me, saying that he only wants the money.

Are you still the one who has been paying her school fees from Form 1-3?

Yes, I have been hustling here and there to see that she goes to school like other children. However, since this term started, I have not been in a position to get money for the school fees and my attempts to reach out to those concerned have not borne any fruit.

Why is this situation affecting you so much on a personal level?

 It is affecting me because my granddaughter is a bright student and she is always on top of her class. She has always aspired to be a doctor once she completes school and supports me and her other siblings. Besides, she is a quiet person and when she is at home, she is used to enclosing herself indoors studying and trying to think the situation out. I really feel bad and pity when she keeps asking me every day when she is going back to school. This is happening when I am in a situation where I cannot do anything to salvage her situation.

What work are you doing currently to support these children?

I am a business lady selling groceries at Marikiti Market. However, I have been quite sick recently so I am unable to do any type of work. I would like to urge well-wishers to consider the plight of this young girl. I am afraid that if she doesn’t get help for now, she might get drawn into peer pressure which could lead her to hanging out with the wrong company and eventually losing sight of her vision.