In the bustling heart of Nairobi, where the pace of city life never slows, one woman is making a profound difference. Her name is Zena Mulei, and she is the driving force behind Homeless of Nairobi, a grassroots initiative dedicated to feeding, rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating street children and homeless adults.
I first met Zena in Deep Sea, and from that moment, I knew she was extraordinary. She is not just a friend; she is a warrior for the forgotten, a beacon of hope for those who have none. When I say I have met incredible women, I truly mean it.
A Mission Rooted in Compassion
From Monday to Friday, Zena and her team provide daily meals to homeless adults and children across Nairobi’s streets. But her efforts don’t stop there. She also runs a feeding program for children in the Deep Sea slums, ensuring they receive at least one nutritious meal a day.
Beyond providing food, Zena has established a community library where children can complete their homework and assignments after school. During school holidays, she organizes kids’ camps, creating a safe and nurturing environment for them to learn, play, and dream beyond their circumstances.
Rescue, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate
Zena’s work extends far beyond feeding. Homeless of Nairobi has rescued countless boys and girls from the streets, guiding them through rehabilitation and enrolling them in schools. Some have even completed high school and are now preparing to join college.
For those battling addiction, Zena has partnered with rehabilitation centers to help them break free from drugs and reclaim their futures. The rescued children stay at a children’s home in Gashie, a sanctuary where they receive care, education, and the opportunity to start anew.
Why She Does It
Zena believes in second chances. She sees the good in everyone, even those society has written off. Her passion is fueled by the success stories – the boys and girls she has rescued, whose lives have been transformed because someone believed in them.
Her mission is simple yet profound: to rescue as many as she can and to create a society where everyone gets an opportunity.
Be Part of the Change
Zena’s work is transforming lives, but she cannot do it alone. She needs support , your support.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Donate – Financial or in-kind contributions go a long way in feeding and rescuing more children.
2. Volunteer – Your time and skills can make a real difference.
3. Spread the Word –
Follow and support her work on Facebook: Homeless of Nairobi.
This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate women like Zena women who don’t just talk about change but make it happen.
#IWD2025 #InspireInclusion #HomelessOfNairobi #RidingForImpact #WomenWhoChangeTheWorld #KagwiriaMurungiRides
Two wheels, One last prayer. ( How I began riding)
“Your scan shows hyperintensities.”
Dr. Amreet, a neurosurgeon at Aga Khan, sat across from me, his voice measured, careful. But my mind was already spinning. The headaches had been unbearable—relentless, excruciating, immune to even the strongest painkillers. My vision blurred at times; confusion came in waves. The suspected cause? A post-lumbar puncture complication. Before they could intervene with an epidural blood patch—15ml of my own blood injected into my spine—they needed an MRI.
I had been under the care of Dr. Muaka for pain management, but now, sitting in this cold office, I was hearing something different.
“Aside from the physical symptoms, I suspect there’s something else.”
Psychosomatic issues. Trauma.
Dr. Amreet’s words felt like a punch to the chest. Trauma? Did he mean the 13 weeks in the hospital? Did he mean the accident?
The accident.
Or
Did he mean, the union – the place where my spirit was slowly unmade.
Two weeks in HDU. Eleven weeks of aftercare. A maxillofacial surgeon whose name I had never wanted to know. Blood everywhere. Doctors surrounding my children, working to save them. My baby in a neck brace. The sickening weight of helplessness as I was forcefully ushered out of there, waiting, unable to do anything apart from fall on my knees and call my mum ‘mamii alitaka kuniulia watoto…’
All because of a mistake.
A mistake by the person behind the wheel.
(But that’s a story for another day.)
Dr. Amreet started me on amitriptyline to help me sleep and strongly recommended counseling. I found myself at Amani Counseling Centre, where I met Naomi.
“Let’s start from the beginning.”
“Which beginning, Naomi?” I sobbed. “Which one?”
I bowed my head into my palms, utterly defeated.
Two sessions in, Naomi referred me to Dr. Okonji, a psychiatrist at Nairobi Hospital. That’s where my real diagnosis came – Depression.
I had always thought I was strong, that I could take whatever life threw at me. But that’s the thing, isn’t it? The brain gets sick, just like any other part of the body. And mine was drowning.
I was taken off amitriptyline and put on quintipin and another antidepressant I no longer remember. Days blurred together. Nights stretched endlessly. I wasn’t living. I was existing.
Then one day, I put up a post on Africa Motorcycle Diaries asking where I could learn to ride. The responses led me to Tris Motorcycles.
Tris told me to come in for training in the afternoon. I looked at her and asked, “Can I come in the evening instead?”
She didn’t know why. Not yet.
The truth? The medications I took at night didn’t wear off until 4 p.m. the next day. Before that, I was a shell. I needed to come after 5 p.m. when I was at least functional enough to balance on the bike. She agreed.
So every evening, I rode.
After each class, I would take long walks, whispering prayers into the wind. “God, I am doing this to conquer the depression. Please… just give me a second chance. Let me be normal again.”
I hadn’t felt normal in three years. And I was desperate.
That’s how I began.
You see, grace is not weakness.
It is the quiet roar of strength when life bares its teeth, ready to tear you apart.
It is standing there, battered and bruised, and still choosing kindness.
It is resisting the urge to grow claws in return.
Grace is the armor of the brave – worn not for the glory, but for the When you see me embrace a stranger,it’s not for glory,it’s for my soul.
Because the strong ones? They don’t cry for help. They whisper to themselves, “One more step. One more fight.” And no matter how broken they feel,
They stand up anyway.
(Be Encouraged , Come up for air, It is well)
Motorcycle Ambulance Female Rider in Kajiado: Nurse Nelly Kemboi, a Champion for Maternal Health
On my motorcycle journey in 2023 , I had the pleasure of meeting Nurse Nelly Kemboi ofs Samuli Dispensary in Samuli Village, Kajiado East – Kajiado County. Her story! nothing short of extraordinary.
Nelly, 32 years old then, was the only healthcare worker at the dispensary, singlehandedly providing medical services to the entire community. She is a nurse, a clinician, a midwife, a lab technician, a pharmacist, and even the cleaner. On top of all this, she is also a motorcycle ambulance rider, navigating rough terrain to save expectant mothers in need of urgent care.
Riding to Save Lives: The Motorcycle Ambulance That Changes Everything
What struck me the most was Nelly’s dedication to maternal health. She operates a TVS motorcycle ambulance with an attached Eezer ambulance wagon, she ferries pregnant women,expectant mothers from the remote village to the dispensary in time for safe deliveries.
Eezer, a life-changing initiative, designs motorcycle ambulances to combat maternal mortality in rural Africa. So far, Eezer has deployed 25 ambulance wagons in Kenya and other African countries, with a vision of reaching 3,000 by 2030. These ambulances have already saved countless lives, reducing maternal deaths to zero in some areas like Turkana South.
A Vision for the Future
Despite her relentless efforts, Nelly faces major challenges , there is a shortage of medical supplies, nurses, and lab technicians at the dispensary. Yet, she remains hopeful and dreams of advancing her skills in paediatric nursing, midwifery, and reproductive health to provide even better care for mothers and children.

Celebrating a True Heroine This International Women’s Day
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme “Accelerate Action,” Nelly’s story is a powerful reminder of what real action looks like. She is not just delivering healthcare she is delivering hope.
How You Can Support Nurse Nelly and Eezer’s Mission
Visit Eezer’s website to learn how their motorcycle ambulance program is saving lives and how you can support.
Help ensure Nelly has the medical resources she needs. If you can contribute towards medical equipment, training, or additional staff, let’s make it happen!
Share Nelly’s story to raise awareness about the incredible impact of motorcycle ambulances in rural Kenya.
Through my rides, I encounter heroes like Nelly, whose dedication changes lives. Would you ride along on this journey for change? Let’s ensure more mothers and children in Kajiado get the care they deserve!
Chak a Chaka ~ Luo for ‘Just Start’
One cold night at 1 AM, I was thrown out of the place I had called home , not rented,bought . As if the pain of losing everything wasn’t enough, the final words hurled at me were: “You are the devil incarnate.” But I can guarantee you,I am not.
I walked away with no money, no home, just my riding gear, fuel in my Zontes 250V, and a storm raging inside me. Depression had been my unwanted companion for three years. I had been receiving counselling from Amani Counselling Centre and psychiatric support from Dr. Okonji at Nairobi Hospital. They say, “Don’t ride when on certain meds,” but my bike and God were my lifelines. If I lost either, I would die. Not being melodramatic , just raw, unfiltered truth.
So, I rode. All night. No destination, no plan, just me, the road, and my thoughts. When morning came, I pulled over on Peponi Road, trying to think. But my mind was blank. I fired up the engine and rode towards Lower Kabete.
At Spring Valley, the familiar sight of traffic policemen signalled a stop. One of them grabbed my keys, “Madam, weka pikipiki kando.” I froze. Then, without warning, I let out a scream inside my helmet, breaking down uncontrollably. If you have never ridden with a broken heart, are you even a rider?
The officer, sensing something was terribly wrong, held onto my bike and refused to give me back the keys. He asked me to sit by the roadside to breathe. And then he did something unexpected – he listened. I don’t know if he fully understood my pain, but when I finished speaking, he looked at me and said, “Simama. Start.”
That moment, those words , they lit a tiny spark in me. I walked into a random agent’s office, desperate and exhausted. A man named Enoch listened, really listened. And instead of turning me away, he gave me a house and time to raise the deposit and rent.The lady owner gave me a bed from her house,asked some men to help me fix it in one of the rooms, and gave me beddings and a bedsheet to hang over the window. Yes, I got back to renting..siggghh!
That was my second chance.
And here I am, in 2025 , healthy, happy, and living a life I never thought I would reclaim. It took being forged in fire to decide to change my life.
So, if you see me riding, let me be. I have fought demons. I vowed never to fight again. If you see me embracing people, fighting for unheard voices, it’s because I hit rock bottom and when I did, I found out it had a basement and I know what it means to struggle physically, mentally, emotionally, financially. I also know what it means to sew back your heart thread by thread and realize that some bits are not meant to heal perfectly.
I’ll tell this story slowly, in bits. Maybe it will encourage someone. But for now, this Tuesday morning, I ask you ,come up for air, breathe – just start. Chak a Chaka.
~ Kagwiria Murungi ✍️ ~
www.kagwiriamurungirides.africa
We Must Talk. We Must Listen. We Must Act
I stood there, frozen. A young girl had just shared her deepest fear , feeling unsafe in her own home. Before I could process that, another student responded with words that revealed just how deeply rooted misconceptions and silence can be.
Riding for Hope: My Journey to Support Children with Cancer in Kenya
Cancer is a devastating diagnosis for any family, but for children in underprivileged communities, the battle is even more challenging. In Kenya, children from low-income households face significant barriers to accessing life-saving cancer treatment—barriers like poverty, lack of awareness, and limited resources. That’s why I, Kagwiria Murungi, a passionate motorcycle adventure rider and founder of Kagwiria Murungi Rides, have launched a campaign close to my heart: “Riding for Hope: Supporting Children with Cancer in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, and Kisumu Counties.”
This campaign, hosted on the M-Changa fundraising platform, aims to raise KES 1,000,000 (approximately $10,000) over one year to provide critical support for five children battling cancer in these regions. With the support of On Eagles Wings Inc., a U.S.-based organization dedicated to helping Kenyan children with cancer, I’m riding to bring hope and healing to these young fighters.
Why This Campaign Matters
As someone who has traveled across Kenya on my motorcycle, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with communities and hearing their stories. But I’ve also seen the struggles families face, especially when it comes to accessing healthcare. For children with cancer, the challenges are even greater. Many families in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, and Kisumu counties can’t afford chemotherapy, transportation to treatment centers, or even basic necessities like nutritious meals.
This campaign is my way of making a difference. It’s not just about raising funds—it’s about raising awareness, offering hope, and giving these children a fighting chance.
How Your Support Will Help
Every donation, no matter the size, will directly impact the lives of these five children. Here’s how the funds will be used:
- Medical Support (KES 250,000 / $1,875): Cover chemotherapy sessions and transportation to treatment centers.
- Nutritional Support (KES 75,000 / $575): Provide healthy meals to boost immune function and aid recovery.
- Emotional & Psychological Care (KES 50,000 / $375): Facilitate counseling for the children and their families.
- Basic Needs (KES 25,000 / $190): Purchase essential supplies like clothing, bedding, and hygiene kits.
- Awareness & Advocacy Programs (KES 100,000 / $750): Educate communities about early cancer detection and available resources.
My Story Behind the Ride
I’ve always loved the freedom and adventure that comes with riding a motorcycle. Over the years, my journeys have taken me to incredible places and introduced me to inspiring people. But they’ve also opened my eyes to the struggles many families face, especially when it comes to healthcare.
When I learned about the challenges children with cancer and their families endure, I knew I had to do something. That’s why I’m dedicating this ride to them. Through this campaign, I hope to shine a light on their resilience and provide them with the support they desperately need.
This campaign is deeply personal to me. It’s about more than just raising funds—it’s about giving these children a chance to fight, to heal, and to dream of a brighter future.
Join Me on This Journey
I can’t do this alone. I need your help to make a real difference in the lives of these children. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will bring hope and healing to these families. Together, we can ensure these children receive the care they need and deserve.
Donate now and be part of this transformative journey:
👉 Support the Riding for Hope Campaign
This campaign will run for one year, ensuring sustained support for the children. I’ll be sharing updates from my ride, so you can follow along and see the impact of your generosity.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s ride for hope, healing, and a brighter future for children with cancer in Kenya.
For more information or to follow my journey, visit the campaign page on M-Changa: https://www.mchanga.africa/fundraiser/108917.