Man who left Othaya in 2007 returns home

There was song and dance at a home in Othaya, Nyeri County as residents gathered to celebrate the return of a man who left home 13 years ago.

Waweru Methu left Othaya in 2007 to search of a better life in Narok County but things did not work out as he had hoped.

“Walifanya kazi huko Narok lakini ile ilifanyika sijui wakakosana na bibi yake, akotoka akaenda. Na tumekuwa tukimtafuta,” his brother Kariuki Methu told Citizen TV.

Never one to lose hope, Waweru had decided to continue with his search for greener pastures.

His pursuit took him further than he had anticipated: to Loita at the border of Kenya and Tanzania.

It is here that he found a job and what would be his home. for 13 years.

But back in Othaya, friends and family who had remained hopeful that he would eventually return became distraught.

“Kutoka ile siku alitoka hapa nilikuwa na machozi mingi sana,” his daughter Esther Wairimu said.

Many years had passed but there was no sign of Waweru coming back.

However, as fate would have it, one Duncan Ndegwa who was from the same village also went to Loita in search of a job.

A few months into his new job, Ndegwa was now friends with all his workmates but one man stood out.

“Tulitengeneza uhusiano mwema nikaanza kuuliza wewe umetoka wapi,” he said.

It is then that he discovered that his workmate was from his home area.

Waweru narrated to his new friend how he had always wanted to return home but was ashamed that he had not achieved much and feared rejection.

“Sikuamini vile naweza rudi nyumbani kama sijafanikiwa vizuri. Na kuna mambo ilikuwa inanisumbua. Kama kuachana na bibi yangu,” he told Citizen TV.

He had no idea that all his family wanted was to have their kin back home, safe and sound.

“Walipotupigia simu hatukuamini ni yeye,” his brother Kariuki said.

Waweru eventually returned home and to his surprise, was welcomed with open arms.

“Ile furaha tulionayo ni mingi, hata ukiona wanalia ni furaha,” the brother said.

His daughter Esther added: “Kwa sasa nimefurahia Mungu juu amerudi.”

The 52-year-old told Citizen TV that he regrets staying away for so long only to return and find that his father and estranged wife had passed on.

“Ningewasihi waliowacha familia zao warudi nyumbani waonanane na wazazi. Unakuta mtoto amezaliwa unakuta ako class 7 unashtuka sana,” he said.

But for now, his family and indeed the entire village is happy as one of their own who was lost has been found.