In a deeply moving act of compassion, Kenyan comedian and philanthropist Eric Omondi has continued his mission to bring dignity and hope to the family of Millicent Maina, a single mother from Githurai, Nairobi, who has been bedridden for four years.
Millicent suffers from multiple chronic conditions including a spinal problem, heart complications, asthma and ulcers.
With no relatives willing to care for her, the weight of responsibility has fallen entirely on her two young sons Simon, 11, and Sammy, 7.
Until recently, the boys’ childhood had been consumed by cooking, cleaning, changing their mother’s diapers and managing her oxygen supply.
This story first came to light when actress Dorea Chege and her husband DJ Dibull stumbled upon Millicent during a marketing event and publicised her plight.
Their video quickly spread across social media, stirring national emotion. When Eric Omondi visited their home, he was shocked to find the 11-year-old Simon calmly adjusting his mother’s oxygen machine, a moment that deeply affected him.
Eric immediately started a fundraising drive, which saw Kenyans contribute so much money that the family’s M-Pesa accounts reached their transaction limits, prompting the creation of a PayBill and a bank account.
On Friday, July 25, Eric shared an inspiring update. He personally escorted Simon and Sammy back to school, a symbolic return to childhood for two boys who have carried burdens far beyond their years.
At the school gate, students cheered as Eric walked hand-in-hand with the siblings.
Teachers came out to welcome them, praising Simon’s academic excellence despite his circumstances.
In a heartwarming gesture, Eric gifted Simon a stethoscope, symbolic of his dream to one day become a doctor.
He encouraged Kenyans to continue supporting the boys, highlighting that they need counselling and long-term care as much as they need financial aid.
Simon’s stoic expression throughout the visit touched many hearts, with Kenyans online urging that he be given therapy to help him heal from the psychological impact of years spent as his mother’s caregiver.
Eric, thanking Dorea Chege and DJ Dibull for starting this journey, said his next steps include building a stable future for the family, ensuring Millicent receives proper treatment, and giving Simon and Sammy the chance to live like children again.
This Githurai family’s story has become a mirror for the nation, revealing how far acts of kindness and unity can go in restoring hope.
The image of a boy who once spent his days changing his mother’s diapers now holding a stethoscope, walking confidently back to class, embodies resilience and the transformative power of empathy.
By Kenyans