In the villages of Kakamega County, a mother of six has become a symbol of resilience and hope after her unusual struggle to provide for her children caught national attention.
The woman, who was left widowed and later chased away from her matrimonial home by in-laws, had been living in extreme poverty. With no reliable source of income, she turned to a rare hustle—repairing village roads with her bare hands. Armed with nothing but a jembe, she would fill potholes and level muddy sections, before stretching a rope across the path to collect small tolls from boda boda riders and passersby.
Her efforts, though humble, helped her earn between KSh 200 and KSh 300 on a good day, money that went directly into buying food and paying school fees for her children. Despite the physical exhaustion and ridicule from some members of the community, she persevered, determined to keep her family afloat.
Her story quickly went viral, moving many Kenyans who admired her courage and sacrifice. Touched by her plight, well-wishers stepped in, raising funds and helping her set up a small business to provide a more stable source of income. The support also extended to securing better living conditions for her family, which had been forced to endure unsafe and unstable housing.
The mother’s journey has sparked important conversations on how widows and vulnerable families are treated in society, and the need for stronger community safety nets. Many have praised her strength, saying her determination should serve as an inspiration to others who feel like giving up in the face of hardship.
What began as a painful struggle to survive has now turned into a story of hope, reminding Kenyans that sometimes, all it takes is courage and community support to turn despair into opportunity.
