Richard Omollo
Richard used to work for a sugar company before it closed down in 2000.
Stranded hundreds of miles away from his home on the Tanzania border, Richard Omollo feels trapped. "It is as though I’m being held hostage in my own country," says the 34-year old Omollo, who now depends on donations to survive.
Omollo worked as a clerk at Miwani Sugar Company until it was closed in 2000 after struggling for years against a flood of cheap imported sugar in the market. The best paying job he can find is casual work on nearby farms where he earns just KSh40 (US$0.54) for working a 12-hour day. He needs to make at least KSh180 (US$2.42) daily for his family to afford the absolute basics.
Although primary education is free, Omollo’s four children do not go to school. "My children walk barefoot, they’re nearly naked. So they can’t go to school." He has given up hope that the company where he worked for nine years will re-open and wants to go back to his home in Kanyamuar where at least he would be able to grow his own food. But he cannot raise the fare.
