Former street boy Patrick Hinga whose transformation went viral after he was rescued by a former schoolmate Wanja Mwaura suffered a relapse.
According to Ms Mwaura, Hinga had a relapse and was spotted at Wangige Market in Kabete where a few people tried to reach out to him.
She disclosed that she was unable to move around easily as she was unwell, asking Kenyans to pray for him as relapse is part of the journey to recovery from addiction.
"Good morning dear friends, it came to my attention that Hinga had a relapse yesterday and he was spotted at Wangige market, Peter Wainaina, James Karatu Giita among other took the initiative of reaching out to him since am physically unwell to move around, they did whatever was necessary to be done.
"It's not easy to get over an addiction but still in his relapse we will help him fight the best way we know how.
[caption caption="Wanja Mwaura with Patrick Hinga after rehabilitation"]
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"It's not an easy fight. Thank-you for all your support and let's not judge him harshly for his relapse. Drug addiction is a disease and relapse is a part of the process. Let's pray for him .. We did our part as the society," she posted on Facebook.
Mwaura spotted an emaciated Hinga in lower Kabete a few months ago and immediately recognized him as a schoolmate and friend from her primary school days.
She took it upon herself to get help for Hinga who was struggling with drug addiction.
Her efforts seemed to bear fruit as Hinga became healthy again and was able to confidently converse with people.
Kenyans were amazed by her commitment as she launched an appeal that saw Hinga undergo a rehabilitation programme at the Chiromo Medical Lane Centre.
He successfully completed the programme and the hospital waived a Sh149,000 bill.
‘’I want to thank the entire management of Chiromo Lane Medical Center and Hinga’s psychiatrist Dr. Frederick Owiti, who also waived his fee. The retreat rehabilitation center which is also a sister company to Chiromo Lane has also decided to waive the entire bill of three months rehab that amounts to 300,000 Ksh for the whole program.
“He told me before he got fully addicted to drugs, he was hawking in Wangige market selling what we call “Mali mali”. With the money we raised we have opened a Mali Mali shop for him and gotten him a house to stay,” Wanja wrote at the time.
[caption caption="Photos of Patrick Hinga and Wanja Mwaura before and after rehab"]
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