It was all celebrations at Muti Wa Maai village in Gatundu North, Kiambu county, after a man and his wife clocked 102 and 108 years, respectively.

Patrick Muthomi and Mary Waithera said they clocked the old age not because of genetics and a good environment as many people would reason but because of living happily.

According to them, living together with less quarrels and family feuds has seen them bring up their children happily while availing no time for gloom.

Further, Muthomi and Waithera say living without smoking and drinking alcohol, eating only what is enough, being physically active at their coffee plantations and feeding on healthy plant foods have also largely facilitated their longevity besides having a good relationship with God.

“We don’t fight and have been feeding on cassava, sweet potatoes, arrowroots and milk. We also ensure our relationship with God is not tainted and this way, God has blessed us with a good life,” Waithera said.

Speaking at their home at the weekend, the couple, encouraged young men and women to uphold good morals and embrace a healthy lifestyle to remain strong.

“Young men and those in marriage should avoid consumption of things that are not healthy such as alcohol. They should also embrace solving disputes without physical fights and this way, they will respect each other and grow together,” said Muthomi.

Interestingly, the two still practice farming and hardly rely on provision of their children as they harvest a lot from their fields.

To commemorate their dedication to family and church service, the centenarian’s children and their grandchildren, together with their church organised a special mass to celebrate them.

Decent living

According to Kamau Muthomi, the elderly parent’s eldest son, his parents’ cognitive ability is second to none as they engage in all activities literally done by the young and the relatively old.

“My father and mother are living normal lives. They plant, harvest, cook and do all other activities done by the less-aged. We are blessed to have them and we look forward to continuing seeing them,” Muthomi, 71, said.

While calling it a special moment for them to hit that age, Muthomi said the family has played a major role for them to remain healthy as they ensure their old parents live happily by giving them zero stress and encouraging them to move on.

His sentiments were echoed by Jane Muthoni, the elderly parents’ youngest daughter who urged youngsters across the country to be checking on their parents more often besides supporting their decent living.

“We have earned ourselves a blessing by checking on our parents frequently. We aspire to live like them,” Muthoni, 50, said.

Muthoni said they have learnt acts of mercy, living happily and desisting from immorality to live longer.