Justice award goes to woman with a big heart

By Kiundu Waweru

It was supposed to be a merry moment for one woman whose act of kindness was recognised with a respected award, but sobs and tears washed faces of those attending the ceremony when her citation was read out.

It was not her kind act, but the circumstances that moved her to do it, that drew tears. It was one of those tragic happenings of fate that can move many hearts to compassion.

As she came forward to receive the award, Felista Wanjiku Maingi, who earns her living waiting on tables and serving beer at Tily Pub, Ongata Rongai, was herself visibly emotional even as applause by invited guests greeted her.

Human rights

The award was given out by a human rights organisation, International Justice Mission, (IJM) that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and oppression.

Wanjiku was this year the winner of the Fifth Annual Champions for Justice Award, which the award committee said was conferred for ‘a loving and caring act’ in a ceremony at Kivi Hotel, Nairobi. The IJM’s Director of Interventions, Mr Ronald Rogo, in reading the citation, said the award honoured the ‘ordinary Joe’.

"Most of us do the work we are paid for, but there are ordinary folks, people who go out of their way to rescue the oppressed in society, yet they will never feature in the nine o’clock news, or grace newspaper headlines but are nevertheless heroes."

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe and International Justice Mission field officer Joseph Kibugu confer Felista Wanjiku with the Champions for Justice Award. [PHOTOS/KIUNDU WAWERU]

Despite having a family of her own, she took three orphaned children, the youngest a victim of defilement, under her roof.

Mother died

The children’s mother, whom she had known, had just died and Wanjiku took it upon herself to feed them and went on to seek justice for the abused seven year old.

The citation read: "Wanjiku’s story begun with the sad story of Zipporah (not her real name)." "Zipporah, seven years old, was not feeling well, and her late mother left her home as she went to work. Unfortunately, a neighbour walked into the house, and sexually abused the little girl."

The rapist, who was apprehended by a mob, was released later from Police custody under unexplained circumstances but, when the IJM took up the case he was rearrested.

Sadly, Zipporah’s mother died while the case was still in the initial stages. Zipporah, together with her siblings, an elder sister who had just sat her KCPE and a four-year-old brother were left alone.

That was when Wanjiku, a barmaid, came to their aid.

She said as she received the award: "I traced family of the deceased woman who were upcountry, but they did not come for the children. I took them in and as they could not fit in my rented house which I live in with my four children, I rented them a separate house."

Rogo added: "Wanjiku would take time off to regularly take Zipporah to Nairobi Women’s Hospital for check up. She would check on Zipporah’s siblings, taking them food and ensuring they were well. And it has not been easy for her as she has faced opposition from her relatives. I am happy to report that just yesterday, Wanjiku was given a foster order over the children."

The Guest of Honour at the awards ceremony, Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe, read a speech on behalf of the Police Commissioner, Mathew Iteere.

Time and energy

Iteere commended Wanjiku "for sparing her own time and energy, to care for victims of fate and injustice and the least one can do is acknowledge her."

Kiraithe acknowledged the rampant crime that has been blamed on a weak justice system that lets off criminals easily, saying it has put the Police in a tight situation.

When we look at Wanjiku, we must conclude there are still active, sober individuals in our society, who can help in the many problems like assisting helpless victims of rape and taking them all the way to the seek justice.