The manager of Mama Ngina Children’s Home in Kisumu, Hellen Tuli, is still baffled.
How one individual could single-handedly repulse a huge crowd in Kisumu Town that was about to descend on a children’s home following a sudden fire outbreak
She is so anxious, but she concludes that it was an act of God.
She has therefore hailed a resident, Willis Akoth, popularly known as “Boy Akoth,” for singlehandedly confronting and stopping looters who stormed the facility after a fire gutted the dormitory last week
“This is the man who helped me stop the looters,” the Children’s home manager salutes Boy Akoth.
I watched in pain as they stormed in and broke the store.
The manager of Mama Ngina Children’s Home in Kisumu, Hellen Tuli, has hailed a resident, Willis Akoth, popularly known as “Boy Akoth,” for singlehandedly confronting and stopping looters who stormed the facility after a fire gutted the dormitory last week.
The inferno, which broke out in broad daylight, left the institution in chaos as staff struggled to evacuate children and secure property while crowds gathered around the scene.
According to Tuli, opportunistic looters soon forced their way into the compound, overwhelming security efforts even as police attempted to contain the situation.
Tuli said Akoth stepped in at the height of the confusion and helped repel the looters, preventing further loss at the children’s home that shelters more than 50 vulnerable children.
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“As I was helpless, yes, I was helpless, the place I manage, which is home to over fifty children, was in flames. My children were helpless, my staff was overwhelmed, and then the looting started,” Tuli said.
“Police moved in but could not contain the crowd. Then one man, one man, saved the home from looters. Willis ‘Boy’ Akoth, I will keep praying for you.”
She expressed shock that individuals could take advantage of the tragedy to steal from a facility serving vulnerable children, noting that some intruders broke into stores and carted away supplies, including food prepared for the children’s evening meal.
“I watched in pain as they stormed in and broke the stores, stealing items, including meals that had been prepared for the evening,” she said.
Tuli confirmed that all 58 children were safely evacuated to Agape Children’s Home in Kibuye, Kisumu Central Sub-county. She also commended emergency responders and community members, including the Kenya Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Avenue responders, and residents, who assisted in the rescue and relocation efforts.“I will forever remain indebted to everyone who came through for us in our moment of need,” she said
Akoth says he was confident he could stop the youths because he knew most of them.
He says a number of them have benefited from his gestures in one way or another.
The businessman, a shrewd operative, says he does not believe in violence or the destruction of property.
By Fredrick Odiero
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