In a chilling and deeply emotional revelation, Ann Wanjiru, a 25-year-old woman from Nairobi, shared her traumatic journey of survival, heartbreak, and resilience. Her story, which she bravely recounted on Citizen TV’s Shajara Na Lulu, sheds light on the unimaginable trials she faced while navigating the shadows of desperation and survival.
A Life Shaped by Tragedy
Ann’s struggles began in her teens when her boyfriend, whom she met at the age of 16, was fatally shot near Pangani Police Station. Pregnant at the time, Ann discovered after his death that he had been leading a double life as a criminal. Left alone to care for her unborn child, her life spiraled into hardship.
After her boyfriend’s death, Ann sought refuge with his family, but the support was short-lived. By the time her baby was just two months old, she found herself back home, burdened with responsibilities she could no longer bear.
Desperation drove her to seek new means of survival. A chance encounter with an old friend introduced her to nightlife work in a club. “I sell myself here,” the friend said, unknowingly setting Ann on a path of hardship and exploitation.
Struggles in the Shadows
Ann’s initiation into prostitution came with deep emotional and physical tolls. Her young child, only four months old, had to be weaned prematurely as she juggled long nights and exhausting days. Although there were moments of fleeting financial relief, the job was grueling.
She recalled rare instances where clients paid generously, like the Ksh.30,000 she received from a foreign client. But most nights, the earnings were meager, ranging between Ksh.4,000 and Ksh.7,000, and the price she paid in dignity and trauma far outweighed the money.
A Nightmare Beyond Imagination
One night, Ann’s world took a horrifying turn. After being approached by a client outside a club, she agreed to his offer and went to his residence in South B. There, her nightmare began.
The man offered her a glass of water, and soon after drinking it, she felt dizzy and disoriented. What followed was a scene straight out of a horror story. The man demanded that she cook, and upon opening his fridge, she was horrified to find a human leg—cleanly cut and packed.
“I was told not to be alarmed and to cook it,” Ann recounted. Trembling with fear, she obeyed, boiling the meat as instructed. However, she quickly discovered, “Human meat doesn’t cook; it just foams.”
The man insisted that they eat the meal together. When Ann resisted, he strangled her until she lost consciousness. Upon waking, she had no choice but to comply. “The meat was tough and hard to chew,” she said, her voice breaking.
The man let her go in the morning, paying her Ksh.3,000 instead of the promised Ksh.15,000. The trauma left Ann physically and emotionally scarred.
A Cry for Redemption
Ann’s experience led to severe illness, and doctors confirmed she had been drugged. Although she recovered physically, the emotional scars remain. “Since then, I’m terrified. I ate a child,” she confessed.
Now a mother of two, Ann has left the streets behind. She relies on friends and well-wishers to support her children. Her story is not just a confession but a cry for forgiveness and understanding.
“I want to tell my mother, Mama, forgive me. It wasn’t my choice. Life’s hardships pushed me to the edge,” she concluded.
A Call for Compassion
Ann Wanjiru’s story is a harrowing reminder of the hidden battles many women face. It exposes the depths of exploitation and the lengths to which some are pushed in the name of survival. Beneath her pain lies a plea for humanity to see beyond the surface—to recognize the endurance and resilience of those who carry such burdens.
