36-year-old Joseph Murithi sleeping on what he a mat that he uses as a bed inside his mud-walled house.
A 36-year-old man living with severe disabilities in Nkururuni Village, Marimanti Ward, is appealing for assistance from well-wishers, disability organizations, and government agencies to improve his quality of life.
Joseph Murithi, who was born with disabilities affecting his legs, hands, and lower body, has spent most of his life confined to his home due to limited mobility and lack of assistive equipment.
Murithi’s life took a difficult turn at an early age after losing his mother, Monicah Kabara, in 1997 when he was only seven years old. Since then, his uncle has taken up the responsibility of caring for him, a role he has carried out for the last 29 years despite facing financial hardships.
According to his uncle, caring for Murithi requires constant attention, including feeding him, helping him change clothes, assisting him with personal hygiene, and meeting all his daily needs.
The family says one of the biggest challenges they face is the absence of a wheelchair, which has left Murithi largely confined indoors and dependent on others for movement.
Murithi says obtaining a wheelchair would significantly improve his life by enabling him to move around more freely, interact with members of the community, and spend time outdoors, especially when his uncle is away attending to farm work.
The family is also seeking support to help Murithi access government and disability-related empowerment programmes, including funds and services designed to support persons living with disabilities.
They hope that through the intervention of well-wishers and relevant authorities, Murithi will receive the assistance he needs to live a more dignified, independent, and comfortable life.
