Macharia and Eric Kipchumba were desk mates at Shimoni Primary School in Eldama Ravine back then, until the latter’s life took a turn for the doldrums. Kipchumba was in Form 3 when he developed mental problems and dropped out of school before ending up on the streets, wasted by life and substance abuse. Touched by the turn of events, the kind media personality chose to rehabilitate his former friend and help him get his life back on track. A new Kipchumba Macharia told TUKO.co.ke that he secured a go-ahead from Kipchumba’s relatives to allow him to take the 34-year-old with him to Nairobi. He shared inspiring photos of a better-looking, healthier, and happier Kipchumba dressed in well-cut suits. Macharia revealed that he is working on getting the young man to go through a medical check-up then work on getting him a house with beddings and other odds and ends. “He told me he wants to go back to class and finish his ICT course, but we are yet to decide on the best college,” the scribe continued. Kipchumba becoming social again Apart from helping him lead a more decent life, Macharia has been working on the social life of his friend. The two have been going to church together and visiting different shared friends, which has made the former street boy more social than he was. During the initial interview with TUKO.co.ke, Macharia expressed how ashamed he was whenever he went to the village and saw his friend wallowing in misery. “It’s extremely sad to see your classmate looking that dishevelled. It even makes me ashamed whenever people remind me about his case,” he said. How did Macharia connect with Kipchumba? His journey into offering a helping hand began with a simple conversation through which he learned just how much the friend wanted to get off the streets. Determined to help his friend reclaim his life, Macharia began by taking Kipchumba to a boutique where he bought him new clothes. He explained that the first step was to change his outlook so that he stopped looking hopeless, which is why he started by giving him a new wardrobe. The Macharia-Kipchumba story sheds light on the power of friendship, empathy, and the potential to change lives when people come together. BY TUKO NEWS
