"I Breathed Through a Tiny Hole for 6 Hours" — Kisii Building Collapse Survivor Recounts Horror Under Rubble

A 37-year-old man from Nakuru County, Ali Abbas, has shared the painful story of how his wife of nine years abandoned him after he lost his job and fell into financial hardship. 

The heartbreaking events have left him struggling to rebuild his life while dealing with the emotional toll of losing his family.

Speaking candidly, Ali recalled growing up in a humble household. 

His father, who worked in the scrap metal business, struggled to provide for the family, and life was far from easy. 

"My mother died after suffering an asthma attack in 2006, and my dad passed away 10 years later," Ali said, recounting the tough circumstances of his childhood. 

Due to financial constraints, he dropped out of school in Class Eight and had to learn how to survive on his own.

In 2013, Ali moved to Nairobi, where he found work in the scrap metal industry. It was during this time that he met Anastacia, and they quickly fell in love. 

Their relationship blossomed, and by 2016, they were married. Things seemed to be going well until business declined, forcing Ali to seek other opportunities.

In 2018, he found work transporting potatoes from Timboroa to Nairobi hotels. 

Business was good, but everything changed with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"When the pandemic hit, most hotels closed, and my boss shut down operations, leaving me broke and jobless," he shared.

Ali tried to recover by traveling to Oman in search of a better future. 

However, his dreams turned into a nightmare when the agent who promised him a work visa turned out to be a scammer. 

With no job and deep debt, Ali returned to Kenya, but the situation at home had worsened. 

His wife had to take on merchandising jobs in supermarkets, but the family’s financial strain only grew. 

"Her family took out a loan of KSh 300,000 to help me travel to Oman, and that debt was haunting us," he explained.

The constant stress from their financial struggles led to frequent arguments, and soon after, Anastacia left. 

She took their children and all their belongings, leaving Ali with just a blanket and a bag. "For six months, I didn’t know where my children were," he said with a sigh.

Despite the overwhelming heartache, Ali remains determined to rebuild his life. 

"I hope I can get back on my feet, take care of my kids, and provide for them, even though we are apart," he said, holding on to hope for the future.