05/11/2026
Mzee Chege from Olkalau recently touched the hearts of many Kenyans after he was seen walking his two children to school dressed in worn-out clothes and gumboots. For years, life has been extremely difficult for the devoted father, who works long hours at a quarry to single-handedly support his two children and elderly mother.
More than 13 years ago, his wife abandoned the family and has never returned or shown interest in their lives. Since then, Mzee Chege has been raising the children in a small single-room mabati house. During school holidays, his daughter, now in high school, and his son would share a modest three-seater sofa as their bed.
Despite the hardships, Mzee Chege never considered abandoning his children. Understanding their father’s struggles, the children adapted to the difficult life with resilience and hope that one day their situation would change. In the early years, he would ride to the quarry on a bicycle with both children seated alongside him.
Their story has now taken a positive turn after a compassionate TikTok community came together and raised more than KSh 500,000. The contributions helped buy the family new clothes, utensils, bedding, and other household items. Most importantly, they were moved into a fully furnished one bedroom house with electricity, running water, a proper bathroom, toilet, and kitchen, comforts they had never experienced before. For the first time in their lives, the children watched television in their own living room.
The family is expected to stay in the house for three months as construction begins on their permanent home. Today, the TikTok community and well-wishers across Kenya are holding a public fundraising drive to help build Mzee Chege a decent permanent house.
Interestingly, relatives from his wife’s side, who had remained silent for over 13 years, have now started reaching out and seeking forgiveness.
