John Mumani Khata

John Mumani Khatia was born in 1955 in Shitoli village, located in the Ikolomani area of Kakamega County. He grew up in a large family where his father had three wives, and John was the only child born to his mother, who was the second wife.

John never got the chance to go to school because there was no one to pay his fees or guide him toward a classroom. During his childhood, his father worked in Nakuru at the Kenya Farmers Association (KFA), while his mother did casual domestic chores to help support him.

After some time, his parents had disagreements, and his mother left to get married again in Shirere. Unfortunately, that marriage did not work out either, and she had to leave and find work as a housemaid just to survive.

Because life at home had become so unsettled, John went to live with his uncles. However, life there was also very difficult, which completely prevented him from ever stepping into a classroom.

As a young man with no formal education, John had to rely entirely on small casual jobs, known as "vibarua," just to put food on the table. He later got married and was blessed with six sons, working hard to provide for them despite his own struggles.

He did his best to give his children an education, with some managing to reach Form Four while the others dropped out of school in Class 8. Unfortunately, none of his adult sons have been able to find a good or steady job.

John managed to secure a job at Fesbeth Primary as a driver, though now he doesn’t go to work; he only sits at home after his eyes failed him. He cannot see clearly after being told he has diabetes by the doctors.

To help support the family, John's wife used to roast and sell maize by the roadside at Amalemba Centre to bring in a little money. However, she can no longer go to work because she is suffering from severe leg problems that keep her confined to the house.

The family currently lives in a three-thousand-shilling mud rental house, an amount that has become nearly impossible for them to raise. To make matters worse, John is living with diabetes, a condition that requires regular medication and management that he cannot afford.

On June 23, 2025, John joined MIC. Through this program, he receives food such as rice, milk, sugar, tea leaves, salt, cooking oil, ugali flour, and porridge flour. He gives thanks to Mama Ibado for helping him. He came to know Mama Ibado through his mother, who, while she was still alive, used to work for Mama Ibado.

John is now in urgent need of assistance from well-wishers and donors who can support him and his wife through these health and financial challenges. This help is essential because it will allow him to buy his diabetes medication and help his wife get medical attention for her leg.

Support from donors will also help the family clear their rent arrears so they do not lose their shelter. Additionally, this support will give his sons a chance to start small business activities so they can help take care of their parents and build a reliable future.