An 83 years old man who went missing from his home in Kirinyaga home in 1973 has been found alive in Lamu County 49 years later.
Wilson Numbi Miatu left his home at Kiamaciri village in Mwea West Sub County 49 years ago aged 34, after selling his father’s property.
The husband of two wives, Mary Numbi and Milka Numbi had sired ten children when he left home, Kiamaciri village.
According to his son, Paul Murimi who was only three years old when his father went missing, they discovered him in Mpeketoni in a local hospital after health workers circulated his photo on social media.
“I think my father thought he would die after spending money when he sold grandfather’s property,” Murimi told a local TV station.
Mzee Miatu had reportedly been taken to the hospital by a good samaritan and had told doctors that his family lives in Kirinyaga.
“We feared that he might not be alive and gave up on searching for him as a family. He is a prodigal father, but we are happy to have found him and have forgiven him,” he added.
Numbi was admitted to the facility about a week ago. Hospital administrators said Numbi has dementia, a condition that makes someone lose memory, especially in old age
He is also malnourished and needs hospital care. Pauline said the family was waiting for the old man to be discharged from hospital so they could take him home.