In her life, Mrs. Asha Chengo, a food vendor at a small stall in Mama Ngina’s garden in Mombasa, never thought that the day would come when she would sit with the Deputy President, drink tea and chat with him.
The tea invitation he gave to the Deputy President, Mr Rigathi Gachagua, on Thursday gave him a chance to interact with him at the official residence of the Deputy President in the city.
While walking in Mama Ngina’s garden, Mr Gachagua had seen and greeted Mrs Chengo from afar. Despite this, his day had taken a different turn after Mr Gachagua gave him an invitation, which gave him an opportunity that any Kenyan would enjoy.
“When you passed, I said to myself, this must be the Deputy President. I asked the Almighty God to give me the courage to tell you my problems, hoping that you would help me. I invited you to drink tea, and I was surprised that you heard me,” said Mrs. Chengo during a chat with the Deputy President.
For Ms Chengo, who works as a food seller in the tourist city, it was the perfect opportunity to explain her problems, believing that Mr Gachagua would help her.
“I cook pancakes, ugali and other foods. He was born in Kilifi County and while in Mombasa I have come to earn a living. I have been going through problems with my sons and the first day you passed I was unable to stop you because it was raining,” said Ms Chengo.
Ms. Chengo told the Deputy President that one of her sons had not joined secondary school because of lack of school fees.
Her second son had also joined the school because he was lucky to get a scholarship but it would not be enough to pay for all the fees.
In his reply, Mr Gachagua offered financial support and encouraged her to expand her business so that she could educate his sons.
“I will give you Sh100,000. Take half of this money to send the children to school and invest half of it in your business so that you can take care of your children,” said Mr Gachagua.
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