From pimple to decaying leg; The painful story of one-legged Murang’a man who does casual works on farms to earn a living

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 20 Sep, 2021 16:58 | < 1 min read
Stephen Ndichu,42 who works while seated to raise money for prosthetic leg. PHOTO/WANGARE NJUGUNA

Instead of going to the streets to beg for money from the passers-by, Stephen Ndichu has been doing casual jobs to make ends meet.

Ndichu a resident at Kariguini in Kandara, Murang'a county had his left leg amputated two years ago after it started decaying due to a wound that did not heal for more than two decades.

Despite his condition, the 46-year-old man has been working on farms in the neighbourhood while seated to earn some income for his daily upkeep.

"I am not able to work while standing because I only have one leg. It's easier for me to work while sitting, "he said.

Ndichu says he is hoping to raise enough money to acquire a prosthetic leg for easier movement.

"The artificial leg goes for Ksh100,000 which is too high for me to raise and I am appealing to well-wishers to come to my aid, "he said.

Ndichu says, at the age of 20, he got a pimple on his left leg which later developed into a wound.

"I got a pimple on the leg but it later became a big wound that refused to heal despite intense treatment," he said.

The wound then started oozing pus and became stinky making it hard for him to mingle with people.

His wife also left saying she could not stand the stench emanating from the wound.

Ndichu later underwent amputation which was done at Maragua District hospital two years ago.

However, the family was unable to raise enough money for complete amputation.