The family of ailing former assistant minister George Fredrick Oduya Oprong wants State House to assist in recovering his grabbed Mariakani house in the city.
Oprong, 80, acquired and lived in the house for close to 40 years before the former MP for Amagoro was kicked out under unclear circumstances. Keys to the house were given to him in 1964 by then Director of Social Services, Nathaniel Siganga.
The politician who has had a bullet lodged in his head for the last 23 years, suffered a mild-stroke and is dogged by other medical complications. Relatives say his deteriorating health condition requires that he lives in a decent place.
Because of lack of proper accommodation, Oprong has relocated to his rural home and routinely returns to the city for medical check-ups.
During such visits, the former trade unionist with the Kenya Quarry and Mines Workers Union, either puts up in a hotel or is accommodated by close relatives in Eastlands. His niece, Catherine Apaye who lives in Greenspan estate in Nairobi, frequently hosts him.
A plea in 2014 to City Hall to assist the former minister regain his house was ignored. Last year, his children in a passionate work-injury compensation appeal to President Uhuru Kenyatta, highlighted the accommodation dilemma.
The children say the Sh9,000 monthly pension their dad is entitled to is not enough to cater for his special diet and medical bills. His doctor Ndambuki Mboloi, puts the cost of food and medication at Sh48,000 each month.
Oprong has 27 children he sired with his five wives. Pamela, 40, is the first born, while Phyllis aged 23, is the last born. None of his children are in gainful employment.
Oprong was the MP for then Busia North Constituency from 1963 to 1969, and 1974 and 1979. He served again from 1992 to 1997 after the constituency was renamed Amagoro.
“If some of us were employed, the situation would have been different. We would support our father without resorting to begging,” says Lawrence Oprong, the son.
While on a campaign tour in Embakasi East Constituency last month, Lawrence claims Deputy President William Ruto promised to secure him a job.
He has lost hope because there are no signs the promise will be fulfilled.
The family wants the old man compensated for the injuries he sustained in 1994.
He was shot outside his Mariakani house as he prepared to attend a regional meeting abroad. He was treated in the UK and USA where doctors advised against the removal of the bullet.
He has blurred vision, numb arms and legs, and incoherent speech. Due to the condition, his wife Grace has to accompany him to Nairobi for the check-ups.
“I have to keep changing his sitting and sleeping positions as well as change his diapers because he cannot do those tasks for himself. Remember I have a farm to tend to back at our rural home,” says Grace.
The late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta appointed him Labour assistant minister. In the government of retired President Daniel arap Moi, Oprong served in the same role in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
Lawrence says the old man has fond memories of Moi. “Father keeps enquiring about the whereabouts of Moi, whom he longs to reunite with, even just for a handshake,” he says.
Before he suffered the mild-stoke in 2015, Oprong had petitioned Parliament demanding to know the balance of funds put in a special kitty for his emergency and specialised treatment. He received no response.
“That, government intervenes on behalf of the family with a view to compensating the ailing shujaa and former MP to help the family cater for his treatment and livelihood, cognizant of the fact that he suffered this condition while still in active public service as an assistant minister and Member of Parliament,” reads excerpts of the memorandum to President Uhuru.
