Man who traveled to Nairobi for medication returns home 30 years later

When John Otieno left his home in Ugenya constituency in 1993 to seek treatment in Nairobi, it never occurred to his family and friends that his visit to the capital city would take 30 years.

The plan, according to Otieno's 68-year-old wife Elizabeth Awuor, was that he would be back after three weeks.

The father of eight was 46 years old when he left home. He travelled to Nairobi in the company of his younger sister.

Otieno is said to have disappeared just days after arriving in Nairobi, sending his family into a panic.

And on Sunday, July 16, 2023, Otieno surprised his family and residents of Nyabeda village in Ugunja sub-county in Siaya when he arrived home. 

When asked where he had been, Otiono who was received by his wife, only said he had been in Nairobi all these years. He did not even say what he had been doing in Nairobi all this time.

Church members 

"I am just too happy to be back home and to see my family again," he said as the family, villagers and church members broke into song and dance to welcome Otieno back home.

When he disappeared, Otieno's wife said, they set out to look for him. They visited numerous hospitals, police stations and mortuaries, but could not find him. 

"After a two-year search, we gave up. We did not know we would ever see him again. It was such an ordeal. We really struggled in his absence, it wasn't easy," Awuor said even as tears of joy flowed freely as family and relatives embraced Otieno and welcomed him back home.

During the whole time, Otieno was away, he had no contact with his family or any relative.

“He became ill after the death of his father in 1993. That is when it was decided that he travels to Nairobi to seek medication. We had stayed together for about 20 years by the time he left,” Awuor said.

She she was informed that her husband had disappeared after he was taken to some church leader for prayers.

This marked the beginning of the family’s agony as they made numerous trips to the city in search of Otieno.

Resorted to prayers

“The last time I travelled to Nairobi was in January 1994 before I resorted to prayers with hopes that my husband would be found one day,” she said.

Awuor, who could not hide her joy when The Standard visited their home, said: "God has answered my prayers."

“I am very happy because the return of my husband has been top of my prayer list. I thank God that we have finally reunited,” she said.

Mr Charles Ajwang, a relative, said the last time he saw Otieno was in 1992. "We had lost the hope of ever seeing him again," he said, adding; "It is good news to us. God has done a miracle, He has answered one of our biggest prayers. Many people who were born after 1993 do not know him."

Otieno’s sister, Angelina Okinyo, said she was surprised when her son told her he had spotted his uncle (Otieno) in Nairobi.

“I didn’t believe it until we went where he had been seen. We decided to bring him back home so he can reunite with his family," said Okinyo.