A young mother and her two sons were forced to brave the cold on Friday morning June 17 after being locked out of their house in Kahawa Wendani, Kiambu County, for defaulting on a Ksh3,000 rent.
Catherine Muthoni's appeal touched the hearts of many Kenyans who shared their experiences of being kicked out due to rent.
Following the viral appeal shared by human rights activist Derrick Mbugua, Kenyans contributed Ksh42,000 for the woman, which she assured will be used to set up a business.
She noted that she will spend Ksh10,000 to cover the 4-month rent at her new apartment and channel the rest toward an income-generating venture.
"You have really helped me in this tough time. I will use the rest of the money to take care of my kids. May God bless all of you. I have more freedom in the new house," the mother stated.
According to the lady, the landlord kicked her out for failing to clear rent after two months.
She, therefore, reached out to Mbugua in the middle of the night because she was stranded in the streets with her youngest son strapped on her back and holding the older one by hand, both still in school uniform.
He responded to the distress call and managed to convince the landlord to open the mabati residence for the young family.
However, the landlord opened the house on the condition that the lady moves out in the morning.
After raising the money, she moved into a new house that costs Ksh2,500 a month where she plans to anchor her business.
Wellwishers also donated other goods to the family including a gas cylinder and a bale of mitumba (second-hand clothes) to start off her business.
The mother of two explained that she worked odd jobs to sustain her young family ever since she separated from their father and moved to Nairobi from Meru.
Kenyans lauded the kind gesture while emphasising the need to help out each other, especially during this tough economic time.
"She looks so happy and is smiling genuinely, may this be the beginning of winning for her," one wrote.
