Timothy Lyany during the interview. Family photo Timothy dressed in a denim suit between his parents (inset).In 2008 his father's pension was shared out but only Sh20,000 was sent to them for upkeep
A son of a former assistant minister has revealed that he has been forced to become a barman to make ends meet.
Timothy Lyany Onamu, 25, is the son of former assistant minister of Power and Communications, Harry James Onamu.
Onamu, who was also Member of Parliament for Hamisi Constituency, died in 2003 when Timothy, the last-born son of former legislator’s fourth wife was only 12 and in Class Six.
The former minister was linked to a land dispute involving two communities in Western Kenya, but he denied his involvement, saying he never wished to cause loss of life for political reasons.
It was around that time that authorities allegedly tortured him and his properties looted, reducing him to a village pauper. Lyany told The Nairobian that, “I was unlucky to be born at that time, during his predicaments and unfortunately, life has been hell for my mother who is now blind.”
“My mother struggled and took me through high school. Later, I joined the University of Nairobi in September 2011 for an undergraduate Bachelor of Science (Bsc) degree. I received a Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loan of Sh55,000, Sh6,000 bursary and occasional pocket money from my mum who catered for my fees, accommodation and upkeep in the city,” said Lyany.
He claims that he was forced to skip lectures for odd jobs in Nakuru to get money for upkeep. “I dropped out of college in September 2014. I was in fourth year at the time. I proceeded to Malaba border in Busia County to work at a cousin’s nightclub (to date). What I earn is a drop in the ocean and not even enough for my mother’s eyesight medication.”
Lyany says his dream is to study computer science. “I believe that will change my life. I will be happy too if my mother can undergo surgery to restore her eyesight, but for now, I’m unable to do that,” he said.
Lyany mother, Lucy Muthoni, currently based in Eldoret told The Nairobian that, “Life has been really tough and Timothy is now stuck between catering for himself and me. I’m under high blood pressure medication but the worst is my eyesight that doctors said must undergo costly surgery.”
