One-Legged boda boda rider recounts wife's abandonment after accident

Weaving through traffic with agility, ferrying clients through the city, one would not know the pain he had to overcome when life took an unexpected turn. A tragic accident left him without his leg, threatening to derail his future and dreams.

“Life changed unexpectedly for me two years ago when I was rammed by a car in a hit-and-run incident. I was standing on the roadside with a client when it all happened, and all I remember is a bright light before waking up in a hospital,” he said.

Yet, where many saw an end after his leg was amputated, Simiyu saw a beginning, a journey that required immense determination.

He told Citizen Digital that fueled by an indomitable spirit and an unwavering belief in himself, he refused to let his circumstances define him.

“After the doctors informed me that they could not save my leg, I was devastated. Then my wife, who could not imagine a life with me after the accident, left me with our three children,” he said.

He recalls begging in town for food and money, but it was not sustainable. Instead, he adapted, learning new skills and finding innovative ways to support his family.

“I really desired a job because how else was I supposed to support my family? Begging is difficult, and I did not want to beg. It is especially difficult when you are not used to it. The boda boda sector and the guys at the stage I work from really supported me and held my hand,” he said.

Simiyu's journey is not just about overcoming adversity. It’s about the power of the human spirit to rise, adapt, and thrive against all odds. Although some customers do not trust his skills, he has proven that he can deliver just like his counterparts as long as he follows the traffic rules.