78-Year-Old Man Reunites with Family After 37 Years in Ukambani

A man from Nyandiba village in Kitutu Chache, Kisii county, was emotionally welcomed by his family after being reported missing for more tha...

• A man from Nyandiba village in Kitutu Chache, Kisii county, was emotionally welcomed by his family after being reported missing for more than three decades.
• He had departed from home in pursuit of better opportunities, and his unexpected return online led to a much-anticipated reunion.
• Users of social media rushed to the comment section of the post as they responded to the78-year-old man's disappearance and resurfaced

The heartfelt wishes of the old man from Kisii county have at last been fulfilled.

Naftali Onyiego Tinega had been eager to reunite with his family following almost four decades of separation.

A 78-year-old man had been residing in Masinga, within Machakos county, having remained there for 37 years after departing from his home.

Naftali left his wife and children behind when he went to Ukambani in pursuit of better prospects. After losing touch with his family, he was eventually declared missing.

Lately, he contacted someone for assistance in returning to his home, and his request gained widespread attention on the internet.

Where had Naftali's sisters come from?

The information arrived at his family in Kisii, leading his relatives to organize the long-awaited meeting.

"Hello to our Kisii relatives. Naftali Onyiego Tinega's sisters, Hellen Nyaboke and Jacqueline Rioba, traveled overnight, reaching Nairobi from Nyandiba village in Kitutu Chache, Kisii county, to Kangonde village in Masinga, Machakos county, to meet their long-lost brother," Christine Ndanu Kadot mentioned in a recent update.

Christine shared touching images capturing the instant Naftali, who vanished in 1988, was finally brought back to his family.

It was a happy occasion when they warmly hugged each other, savoring each moment.

Naftali names family members

They couldn't resist touching one another as the touching truth began to settle in.

Even though Naftali couldn't recall his home stage, which delayed his return, his memory remained strong enough to remember the names of his family members, including his wife and children.

He was wed to Rebecca Mokeira Nyangira, and they had three children: Abel Mogaka Kerandi, Redempter Nyaboke Kerandi, and Alex Obwocha Kerandi.

His father was Tinega Onyiego, and his mother was Wilkister Monyenye.

Internet users respond following Naftali's reunion with his family

Social media users rushed to the comment section, expressing a range of heartfelt and varied responses:

Ash Jay (Writer, Romantic and Thriller narratives):

I am slicing onions; he disappeared the year I came into the world. I can picture the pain everyone endured.

Margaret Kibiru:

This is excellent. Continue, girl, and may God grant you blessings. This is a genuine contribution to humanity.

Flora Dominic:

Christine, may the Almighty God provide you with everything you require in life. You are doubly blessed in the name of Jesus. Keep doing good; never grow weary, my dear.

Fidel Is:

Men, hope you're aware. Take the whole thing into account, make sure you spoil your siblings rather than your wife. Have you seen her wife there? Blood is thicker than water. Most of these women are with you because they are gaining something. The moment things go wrong, you won't see her.

Stephen Obiero:

How many children are returning home from the Kamba region? Please update, it's important so people back home can prepare.

Varane Tush:

Good work, Kadot. And those who are in charge should remember their communications with others. It is important, people really need to know that a person is alive, whether it is a health officer or someone else.

A woman from Kajiado is finally back with her family after 27 years.

In another touching tale, a young woman who was brought to Uganda by her father was reunited with her family in Kajiado county.

Mary Kamene was brought to Busia at the age of five in 1998, causing her to be separated from her family.

She never returned to her house again until 27 years later, when she was finally reunited with her family, who struggled to conceal their happiness.