In the quiet rural village of Kanyadhiang in Homa Bay County, a grandmother’s desperate yet heartwarming act of love has touched the hearts of many across Kenya, including that of celebrated comedian and philanthropist Erick Omondi.
Earlier this week, social media lit up with an emotional story from Adiedo Secondary School. A frail, elderly woman arrived at the school carrying six live chickens. With no money in hand, she offered the birds as a substitute for school fees, hoping it would be enough to secure continued education for her two orphaned grandchildren. Her actions, though humble, told a powerful story of sacrifice, resilience, and the unwavering determination of a guardian doing everything in her power to keep hope alive.
Photos of the grandmother, standing quietly at the school gate with the chickens tied by strings, quickly made the rounds online, sparking outrage, compassion, and ultimately action.
Among those moved by the story was Erick Omondi, who has recently reinvented himself from stand-up comic to an outspoken activist and a voice for the voiceless. Known for his spirited campaigns calling for youth empowerment and government accountability, Omondi responded with characteristic urgency.
“This story broke my heart,” he said in a video shared online. “How have we come to this that a grandmother has to trade her last chickens to give her grandchildren a future? We cannot let this happen on our watch.”
True to his word, Erick made his way to Homa Bay, where he met the grandmother and her grandchildren. In a moving encounter that left observers teary-eyed, Omondi pledged to not only cover the school fees but also provide consistent support for the children’s education, including school supplies and uniforms. He also promised to uplift the grandmother’s livelihood by helping her start a sustainable income-generating project.
“This isn’t just about these two kids; it’s about restoring dignity to the forgotten pillars of our society,” Erick said. “If we don’t act now, we will have failed not just this family but an entire generation.”
The incident has reignited discussions around education inequality in rural Kenya, with many calling on the government and society to do more to support vulnerable families.
For now, thanks to the compassion of a man using his platform for good, the grandmother can breathe a little easier knowing her grandkids will stay in school and that her six chickens have bought more than just a few days’ meals; they’ve secured a future.
Because sometimes all it takes is one act of kindness to change the course of a family’s life.
