Granny, 75, Turns To Collecting Cans After Losing Husband And Children: "Niko Pekee Yangu"

A 75-year-old grandmother's desperate search for aluminum cans to survive has left Kenyans in tears, after she opened up about losing everyone she ever loved and now facing life completely alone.

The elderly woman, whose story has gone viral on social media, explains how she turned to collecting recyclable materials after her husband and all her children passed away, leaving her with no one to depend on. Speaking in broken Swahili mixed with her mother tongue, she repeatedly says "niko pekee yangu" (I am all alone), a phrase that has resonated deeply with Kenyans across the country.

Her daily routine involves walking long distances searching for cans and bottles that she can sell to scrap dealers for a few shillings. Like many elderly Kenyans in rural areas, she has no pension, no regular income, and no family support system to fall back on. The money she makes from collecting recyclables barely covers her basic needs - a cup of tea, some bread, and occasionally a small portion of ugali.

The grandmother's story highlights a harsh reality many Kenyan families face, especially in an economy where even sending M-Pesa to elderly relatives has become difficult for struggling families. While younger generations migrate to Nairobi and other urban centers looking for opportunities, many elderly parents and grandparents are left behind in villages with minimal support systems.

What makes her situation even more heartbreaking is how she maintains her dignity despite the circumstances. Social media users who shared her story note how she speaks with grace about her losses, never complaining or asking for pity, just explaining her reality of waking up each day to search for cans because "lazima niishi" (I must survive).

Her story has sparked conversations about how Kenya treats its elderly citizens, with many questioning why someone who has lived through decades of contributing to society should spend her final years scavenging for survival. County governments across Kenya provide minimal support for elderly residents, leaving many in similar situations.

As Kenyans rally to help this grandmother, her story forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth about how we care for our aging population. How many more elderly Kenyans are out there, walking alone, collecting whatever they can find just to see another day?