By AUSTINE OKANDE

As soon as she rescued an abandoned infant eight years ago, Mkombozi (Saviour) as she is commonly referred to, won the hearts of many across the world. This heroic act became a buzz in the media. 

The Nairobian recently visited the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animal (KSPCA) in Karen where the dog has since found a home.  

 “We adopted her immediately after her noble story was aired on TV and indeed she has since become one of the most popular dogs within the centre,” says the lead official at the KSPCA Inspector Bernard Atsiaya.

Mkombozi came into limelight in May 2005 after she rescued a newborn baby girl who was abandoned in the thickets of Ngong Forest . The dog had been foraging for food for her young ones.

It was reported that the dog was spotted dragging the infant, who was wrapped in rags, across the busy road and through a barbed wire fence to a home, whose owner called the police.

The Nairobian was informed that many individuals, both local and foreign, have often tried to adopt the dog, with some bidding enormous amounts of money to own the celebrity Mkombozi.

However, the formerly stray dog, which used to scavenge for food in dumpsites, now lives decently at the KSPCA where she is treated like a queen.

Her meal has to contain starch, protein and vitamins with sukuma wiki, meat and minced cereals being her favourite dishes, says Atsiaya.

“We have since sterilised her, she is dewormed often, vaccinated and washed once a week,” the official said.

Atsiaya says Mkombozi is one of the most intelligent and friendly dogs at the home.

She hardly barks and most often you will see her in the company of children playing, he said.

The gorgeous infant that was rescued by Mkombozi was baptised Angel and taken up by Thomas Barnados Children’s Home in Nairobi.

The Nairobian was informed that Angel was adopted by a wealthy family in Karen. The girl is in primary school.

“Angel is no longer with us, she was adopted six months after we adopted her,” Elphas Khaiya, a social worker at the home, said.

Those we interviewed were not sure if Angel and Mkombozi had ever met.

aokande@standardmedia.co.ke