In the labyrinth of life, unexpected twists often challenge our resilience and strength. Such is the story of Wilberforce Achoka, a man whose journey transitioned from hope to despair and, ultimately, redemption.
Achoka’s story began with love—a love that defied societal norms. He met his girlfriend while he was already married with children. Their paths crossed at a friend’s event, and despite the complexities of his existing family life, a connection sparked. Love at first sight, as they say, and Achoka embraced it. Determined to formalize this unconventional relationship, he introduced his girlfriend to his wife and both families.
“I introduced her to my wife although it wasn’t easy. I also went ahead and introduced myself to her family, and they allowed me to marry her,” Achoka recalled.
Fueled by love and a desire to uplift his partner, Achoka took significant steps to invest in her future. His girlfriend, a former Form Two dropout after a school pregnancy, expressed a fervent desire to resume her education. Achoka, then working as a factory supervisor, supported her educational journey.
“I enrolled her back in school and educated her up to the college level. After Form Four, I enrolled her at Utalii College where she pursued hotel management. She started with a certificate and then upgraded to a diploma,” Achoka said.
Together, they weathered life’s storms, building a foundation on mutual support and shared dreams. A pivotal moment arrived when a friend working at the airport informed Achoka about a job opportunity in Dubai—a chance to elevate their lives. Without hesitation, Achoka navigated the complexities of securing this opportunity for his partner.
He took loans, borrowed from friends, and even bribed the recruiter with over Sh800,000 to ensure her successful placement. “I was okay with this because her starting salary was more than Sh150,000, and I was assured of recovering the money in the first few months,” he said.
However, fate had a different plan. The moment his girlfriend set foot in Dubai, the harmony they had built began to unravel. Communication dwindled, and when it did happen, it brought unforeseen challenges. The woman who once encouraged him to take loans for their shared future now dismissed him over financial matters.
“Everything changed immediately after she set foot on the flight. Although we talked during the first three weeks after she left, things went haywire after she received her first payment. I remember texting her to discuss paying back the loans, and her response made it clear she was a problem,” Achoka recalled.
The aftermath was a downward spiral for Achoka. Burdened by over a million in debt, he had to liquidate his assets, including a car and four storage plots. This marked the descent of his life from grace to grass. Consumed by stress and despair, he attempted suicide twice. Alcohol became his solace, leading to job loss and perilous incidents while intoxicated.
Yet, life had not abandoned Achoka entirely. A brush with death due to health complications from excessive drinking served as a wake-up call. After undergoing surgery and surviving the ordeal, Achoka found solace and purpose in an unexpected place—he became a pastor.
Today, Achoka’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His transformation from despair to redemption reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is a glimmer of hope waiting to be embraced.
