Nairobi: Elderly Woman Abandoned on Streets as Daughter Vanishes During Hospital Visit
- An elderly woman named Zaina Wafula from Bungoma was found lost, soaked, and injured in Kawangware after being abandoned in a hospital
- She disclosed that she was invited to Nairobi by her daughter Phylis, who sells mahindi chemsha in Kangemi
- The daughter reportedly gave instructions for a boda boda rider to take the ailing woman to a hospital, but she never showed up
Nairobi – A heart-wrenching appeal has surfaced online after an elderly woman was found soaked, disoriented, and injured in Kawangware after being reportedly abandoned at a hospital by a boda boda rider.
Source: Facebook
According to the good Samaritan who came to her rescue, the woman, identified as Zaina Wafula, is originally from Sang’alo, Bungoma County, and had been in Nairobi for just two days.
Where does Zaina Wafula's daughter live?
She had allegedly been brought to the city by her daughter, Phylis, who is said to sell mahindi chemsha in Kangemi, in search of medical treatment.
According to Ev Mercy Nungari, the daughter reportedly gave instructions for a boda boda rider to take her mother to a hospital.
However, the elderly woman claims she was left there without any guidance or follow-up.
Unable to recall the name of the hospital, and without a phone or any contact information, she wandered off, eventually finding herself in Kawangware.
To make matters worse, the woman reportedly fell into a ditch, likely due to poor eyesight, and was found drenched and distressed.
Source: Facebook
Where was Zaina Wafula taken?
In a viral post shared on social media, the well-wisher who stumbled upon her described her condition, saying:
“She was completely soaked and shivering. The police were also not treating her with the kindness she deserved.”
The woman was taken to Satelite Police Station in Kawangware, where she is currently being held as authorities await a relative to come forward.
The community is now rallying online to trace Phylis, urging her or anyone who knows her to go to the station and assist her mother, who is said to be in urgent need of care and support.
Public urged to help locate Zaina Wafula's daughter
If you are Phylis from Kangemi or know someone matching that description, please head to the Satellite Police Station immediately.
Zaina Wafula needs help.
Photos of the woman have been circulated widely in local WhatsApp and Facebook groups to locate her family.
Anyone with information is urged to share or visit the station without delay.
Kenyans react to Zaina Wafula's plight
This story moved many Kenyans and divided opinions, with many coming to the defence of the daughter, while others shared experiences of taking care of elderly family members.
Many opined that there was a probability of a miscommunication between the daughter, elderly mum and the boda boda rider that caused her to wander off.
Others noted judging the daughter without hearing her out, and factoring in how to care for an elderly parent was not right.
Here are some of the comments:
Remmy Wekesa Kiveu said:
"Maybe the daughter is also looking for her. Sometimes these elderly people are impatient. Maybe she left the hospital even before her daughter got there, and got lost on the way. I will not be quick to condemn the daughter. I have seen several such instances."
Norah Obiero said:
"We listen, but we don't judge. I think there was a miscommunication. Shosh thought she could get herself to Bungoma by herself. Older people are often not patient when waiting. I hope she is found safe."
Essy Kins
"The daughter should be looked for if she's well in the first place. Second she could have run out of options and thought her ailing mum would get help in the hospital 😰😰😰 very sad either way."
Grandma stranded in Ruai after phone was stolen
In an unrelated incident, an elderly woman was stranded in Ruai after her phone was stolen in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
The 70-year-old who was visiting her brother couldn't trace her host's home as the area had changed since the last time she visited.
With no means of reaching him, well-wishers took her to Ruai Police Station to await her family members to pick her up.
Members of the public were urged to help authorities locate her family.
Racheal Nyaguthie, HoD Human Interest, updated this article with reactions.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
