A man from Kenya, now 91 years old, left his home in search of a better life when he was in his 40s. After an absence of 50 years with no knowledge of his whereabouts, he finally returned with just a walking stick.
The Provincial Administration played a crucial role in locating Samuel Machuka in Wote, Makueni County, once he unexpectedly reappeared. During his time away, Machuka had been working as a casual laborer on a farm.
Upon his return, the elderly man was warmly received by his family in Masabo village, Nyaribari Masaba Kisii. Although only a few of his peers recognized him, his family embraced him. His nephew, Robert Makomba, who had previously worked with him in Mau Narok in 1995, had lost contact with him due to a lack of communication channels. Makomba expressed gratitude to the Provincial Administration and emphasized that their Seventh-day Adventist Christian beliefs would lead them to welcome Machuka back without any traditional rites.
When asked about his marital status, Machuka revealed that he had entered into three informal marriages but had no information about the whereabouts of his wives. Some of his older uncles, who were still alive, were relieved to see him, as they had been searching for him in vain. They assured him of their support in settling down.
Machuka was offered a piece of family land to build a house, and his relatives assured him that any children he had with a woman during his journey to an unknown destination would be welcomed back home.
Credit: Gistlover Stella
