- Kenyans of goodwill raised KSh 318,000 in less than 24 hours to help Betty Yego’s family buy land and build a semi-permanent home
- Well-wisher Derrick Mbugua from Kiambu appealed for financial support after visiting the family and finding 11 people living in a dilapidated house
- The local community, led by an assistant chief, also mobilised to play their part in helping the family
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Kenyans have once again demonstrated the power of collective goodwill, raising over KSh 316,000 in under 24 hours to help the family of Betty Yego, the woman who went viral after being filmed in a distressed state near Kenyatta University.
Source: Facebook
The fundraising push was set in motion by Derrick Mbugua, a well-wisher from Kiambu, who had personally visited the Yego family home and was shaken by what he found.
The structure sheltering Betty's parents and nine siblings was barely standing, cobbled together with torn sacks, scraps of iron sheet, and mud.
"This house has been housing nine children and two parents, meaning 11 people, and we called on Kenyans to help settle them somewhere, build them a three-bedroom mabati house and buy them land to improve their living standards," Mbugua said.
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He set the budget at KSh 200,000 for a piece of land and KSh 100,000 for construction. Kenyans responded with remarkable speed, contributing KSh 318,000 in total and surpassing the goal.
The local community, mobilised by assistant chief Christine Tekei, also chipped in, raising an additional KSh 16,000.
"I want to thank everyone who opened their pockets and saw it right to help this family, we are very grateful and stood by this needy family," Christine said.
Mbugua confirmed that both the pastor and the chief would remain involved to oversee the purchase of the land and see the construction through to completion.
Betty's father, David Kitui, was moved by the response from strangers across the country. "I do not have much to say but may God bless you; thank you so much," he said.
Her mother, visibly emotional, spoke of the overwhelming relief she felt.
"I pray for blessing upon their families, their children, their lives and may God never abandon them. God will always open doors, my tears have been wiped finally," she said amid tears.
Betty first came to public attention after footage of her, apparently mentally unwell and undressed near the KU gate, circulated widely online.
It was Mbugua, together with two boda boda riders, who stepped in to ensure she received medical attention and was eventually reunited with her family in Mt Elgon.
Kenyans raise over KSh 1m for boy who went viral pleading with dad for help
In other news, TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about baby Trevor, whose plea for help paying his hospital bill prompted a rapid response from Kenyans.
His mother said she had run out of money and that Trevor urgently needed surgery.
A TikTok fundraiser raised more than KSh 1 million in under two hours.
Source: TUKO.co.ke