Lady Luck smiles on man who spent cold night with wife’s body

Charles Mwenda, the man who spent a night in the rain with the corpse of his wife, Faith Mwende at Kianjai in Meru County. [Courtesy]

 

For the past two years, Charles Mwenda stood by his wife Faith Mwende as she battled stomach cancer. Sadly, she lost the battle on May 24, this year. His next headache was how to transport his wife’s body from Malindi to Meru County.

Covid-19 had hit and travel restrictions were imposed by the government to contain the virus. Subsequently, his bid to transport the body was thwarted by police officers and he was forced to spend a rainy night outside a police station in Tigania West, with the casket. Alone.

When his plight was shared on social media it caused an uproar and Kenyans rallied behind him emotionally, spiritually and financially.

To ease his pain, popular activist Ndung’u Nyoro started a funds drive on Facebook that went viral.

“This man had gone through untold pain. From losing his wife, to having to take care of his three young children the youngest being seven months and the humiliation he went through as he ferried his wife’s body, it was too much,” said Gakii.

Their efforts helped raise more than Sh700,000 with one well wisher paying a year’s salary for a house help to take care of the three children.

Mwenda, a truck driver operating between Mombasa and Malindi, is grateful for the kind gesture.

“I am lost for words by the outpouring of love from Kenyans during this dark season. I appreciate all the help,” said Mwenda.

He hopes to use the money to start a spare parts business and expand his tuk tuk business.