Boniface Muhandia, a 99-year-old man, has returned to his home in Eshisari Village, Kakamega, after disappearing for 60 years.
His long absence began in 1965 when he left to seek construction work in Uganda, aiming to provide for his wife and four children.
After settling in Kampala, Muhandia worked as a mason for decades.
His wife, Chelemendia Adhiambo, briefly joined him in the late 1970s, during which they had two more children.
However, the couple eventually lost contact, and communication became scarce over the years.
Muhandia recounted that he used to write letters to his family, but correspondence stopped as time went by.
For many years, he lived on the streets of Entebbe, facing hardship until a compassionate woman took him in.
She recognized his desire to reconnect with his family and helped him trace his roots, ultimately facilitating his return to Kakamega.
Upon his arrival, carrying only a walking stick and a small suitcase, Muhandia was met with a shocking and sorrowful reality.
He discovered that his home had fallen into disrepair and that his wife and two sons had passed away during his absence.
Although he felt a sense of joy at being back in his village, he appeared disoriented, struggling to remember the last time he was with his family.
His younger brother, John Atako, now 89 years old, had stepped in to raise Muhandia’s children after the family lost contact.
Another brother, Peter Wabuti, 86, shared that a good Samaritan had played a crucial role in helping Muhandia return home after he voiced his wish to find his family.
