A village in Homa Bay Sub-County is celebrating the return of an 81-year-old man who had gone missing for 51 years after he disappeared from home in 1972.
Joseph Odongo left his home in Riwa village, West Kanyada location when he was 30 years old. This was after a disagreement with some of his family members.
In the village, no one below 60 years could recognize him when he returned home as everyone who was born after he left only heard about his story but never saw him.
Mzee Odongo said his decision to vanish from home was after he disagreed with his brother who is now deceased.
He told a few family members that he was going to Sikri beach which is located a few kilometers from his home. But instead he moved to Mombasa where he stayed all along.
Being that means of communication was a problem at that time, it was difficult to trace him. His family ruled that he might have died.
His sister in law Matasia Akelo, aged 90 however had a different thought. She always prayed that mzee Odongo would return back home.
After the reunion, Mzee Odongo told his family that he had been living in Likoni, Mombasa County, where he was employed as a security guard.
West Kanyada Location Chief Kenneth Achieng said the man walked to his office located at Kabunde seeking help before he was reunited with his family.
