A Brilliant Student Now Homeless in Kahawa Wendani
Alvin Wanjiku Mwangi, a fifth-year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery student at Kenyatta University, is now sleeping in roadside vibandas and empty lecture halls. Despite his academic excellence, with an A (84 points) from Murang’a High School in 2014, Alvin’s life took a hard turn. He lost his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic and has never met his father. Today, with just one year left to graduate, he finds himself without shelter, juggling odd jobs to survive, and desperately appealing for help to complete his studies.
Why Did Alvin Mwangi End Up on the Streets?
Alvin’s troubles began after losing financial support from a well-wisher who had been paying his rent and had even bought him a phone. “It reached a point where I was almost being kicked out of the hostel, so I tried to buy time. I sold my phone, but even that was not enough to sustain me for long. The well-wisher who had bought me the phone and who was paying my rent stopped supporting me because of my behavior. I was abusing substances,” he admitted during an interview with Derrick Mbugua.
Alvin worked at a car wash and later at a bar, where he slipped into substance use. Today, he says that chapter is behind him. He has since quit using substances and is determined to return to class and reclaim the future he once envisioned.
What Help Does Alvin Wanjiku Mwangi Need?
Having no access to student housing or stable income, Alvin is seeking support from well-wishers, especially for accommodation. His resilience is evident—despite homelessness, he remains focused on his dream of becoming a doctor. He hopes to find shelter that will allow him to focus during his final academic year at Kenyatta University.
His story has triggered emotional responses from social media users. One user commented, “Walahi, you can’t understand this unless you come from a humble background. I remember getting a scholarship in 2020, but I feared going because of the struggles at home. May God see you through, man.” Another added, “The fact that he acknowledges his mistakes proves he deserves a second chance.”
Calls have also been made for alumni of Murang’a High School and public figures like Mike Sonko to come forward and support Alvin. As his story gains attention, many are hopeful that the support he needs will come before it’s too late.
By Yockshard Enyendi