Githeri man languishing in poverty as companies fail to fulfill their promises

Martin Kamotho alias ‘Githeri man’ who shot to fame  after his picture carrying githeri during the August 2017 elections went viral  is still grappling with poverty.

This is after companies which had promised him gifts for easing the election tension failed to live up to their promises.

Githeri man even received  Sh100,000 token at State House in December 2017 and was awarded with a Head of State Commendation (HSC) for easing the tension in August.

 

 

He currently lives in a rented house in Saba-Saba area of Kayole slums in a single room that cannot accommodate a small family. In his small house he owns worn out sofas and old wooden table, a cupboard and the rooms’ floor is decorated with a plastic carpet. The walls are decorated with colorful polyester material with a bed sheet acting as a wall to his bed room. Luckily, he lives alone and his only companion is his cat since he parted with his wife and daughter sometimes back.

“I have lived here for more than a decade. Many people think I’m rich. In fact it makes me sad when they call me Githeri Man, thinking I am a millionaire. I have nothing. The people around here know me; they know ‘sina kitu’. Otherwise’ wangekuwa wananipiga ngeta kila siku,’’ he narrated.

According to a local tabloid magazine, Bonfire Adventures had promised Kamotho and his family a holiday treat to the Maasai Mara but is yet to fulfill its promise. When reached for comment, the company CEO, Simon Kabu said “His trip is still available, we didn’t have his contacts but we are ready take him anytime.”

Username Properties is also on the list of promise defaulters after they reportedly failed to honour their Ngong plot promise.

“I’m okay and ready to build a home. They called and asked me to hand over my documents so they can process my title deed. That’s what I’m waiting for,” said Kamotho.

President Uhuru’s stylist offered to dress him every August until 2022 also made it to the list after Kamotho, accompanied with his uncle, apparently visited the store in Kilimani to claim his gift  in vain.

“Our gift for him is still valid, only that last year he had been admitted at rehabilitation centre, and I was also away in United Kingdom,” the stylist told The Nairobian.

Kamotho was among the 77 graduates who successfully completed a seven-month rehabilitation program at Mama Care Rehabilitation Centre Kiambu, as it had been reported earlier that he had alcoholism problems. The ceremony was graced by President Uhuru.