Nairobi News

LifeWhat's Hot

Here’s the big surprise that awaits former street urchin when he leaves rehab – PHOTOS

By HILARY KIMUYU January 19th, 2018 2 min read

Patrick ‘Hinga’ Wanjiru, a recovering drug addict, whose story has lately grabbed media attention in Kenya, can now positively look forward to coming out of rehab to a fresh start in life.

This is after his childhood friend, whose efforts to get him off drugs went viral, revealed the grand plans she has laid out to get him back on his feet when he’s done with rehab.

Wanja Mwaura, who is a nurse by profession, made the revelation on her Facebook page on Wednesday.

Ms Mwaura says she’s been setting up the shop at Wangige market in readiness for her friend’s discharge from rehab at the end of this month.

While she refers to the business as a ‘mali mali’ shop, the pictures she attached to her Facebook post showed a well-stocked store with a wide range of household goods and foodstuffs.

The exterior of the modest building, already christened Hinga’s Store, has an attractive coat of bright yellow paint and a protective tent above the entrance.

Wanja Mwaura inside Hinga's Store at Wangige market. PHOTO | COURTESY
Wanja Mwaura inside Hinga’s Store at Wangige market. PHOTO | COURTESY

RELATED STORIES:

No, I am not marrying former street urchin – PHOTOS

Woman melts hearts after sharing transformation of drug addict friend – PHOTOS

Wanja Mwaura arranges items inside Hinga's Store at Wangige market. PHOTO | COURTESY
Wanja Mwaura arranges items inside Hinga’s Store at Wangige market. PHOTO | COURTESY

“He told me before he got fully addicted to drugs, he was hawking in wangige market selling what we call “Mali mali”. With the money we raised we have opened a Mali Mali shop for him and gotten him a house to stay,” Wanja wrote on Facebook.

BEFORE AND AFTER: Wanja Mwaura with her former classmate Hinga. PHOTOS | COURTESY
BEFORE AND AFTER: Wanja Mwaura with her former classmate Hinga. PHOTOS | COURTESY

“Hinga will be out of rehab in the 28th of this month, we had to prepare on how and what he will be doing after rehab and where he will stay,” she further said.

Ms Wanja says she was able to open and stock the shop as well as rent a house for Hinga from the contributions of well wishers who responded to her plea for funds.