Father of five babies born in Kisii wanted to become a priest

Sellah Nyanchera (left) mother to the five children born at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. [Eric Abuga, Standard]

Douglas Nyaoko, the father of the five children born at a Kisii hospital on Thursday afternoon, had a dream to join priesthood before he married at 23.

Speaking at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital while visiting his wife, Sellah Nyanchera, Nyaoko a plumber in Kisii town, said he was happy that his wife had finally delivered after months of painful nights.

According to the father, during his early days, he lived at the Kisii Cathedral and had dreamt of joining seminary school. However, his dreams were cut short after some of his family members warned him that they were not going to pay his fees should he proceed with his plan to train and become a priest.

He says the then Kisii Cathedral Vicar General Joseph Obanyi encouraged him to soldier on. “He helped me grow spiritually and morally. I served as an altar boy for years. I married immediately after my high school. Nyanchera was my first girlfriend and she eventually became my wife.”

Nyaoko, a lastborn in a family of seven siblings says he did his Form Four in 2018 but was unable to proceed to college. “I am not employed; I earn from the casual jobs I do around Kisii town.”

He adds: “I call on well-wishers to support me. I have been living in my brother’s house. I have been struggling to feed and clothe my family and I know it will become more challenging.”

However, the father to the children was delighted with the news although they were not expecting quintuplets.