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Reuben Oyani is visually impaired, but ask him anything about his wife and children and he would give you an answer.

He will tell you how tall and short they are or who has lost weight or added some more. And not just their appearance, he isn’t blind on how they have faired in life. 

“It has never disturbed me that I have not been able to see my children with my own two eyes. I see them through my heart and I am happy with who they have become,” he says adding, “Most of them are responsible, have good jobs and can fend for themselves.”

Despite being visually impaired, the 73-year-old has overcome all odds to raise his children adhering to Christian values and teachings. He is a father of 10 children and more than nine grandchildren.

“My firstborn daughter works at Wilson Airport, my second born son is a retired army general. I’m proud to say all my children have good jobs and can take care of themselves.

I am a man who values education and that is why I have strived to ensure that my children get the best so that they can be able to become important people in society,” says Oyani.

Great support

At his residence in Kulamawe, Isiolo county where he lives with his wife, Oyani navigates through the rooms with ease.

According to his 65-year-old wife, Agatha Oyani, they have lived together for more than 30 years and he has been a wonderful husband, a dedicated and loving father to their children.

“Even when I am not around, he keeps the house clean and in order. When we were raising children, he would assist me with house chores,” Agatha says.

Oyani is also a great provider. “There is no day he hasn’t provided for his family. He is a good parent and has set a good example even to the rest of the community,” she adds.

Oyani is a trained teacher who has taught the likes of gospel artistes Mary Atieno, Reuben Kigame and Commissioner Dr Samuel Tororei, among others at Thika School for the Blind. He went on to teach at St Lucy’s School for the Visually Impaired in Igoji, Meru County.

In 1983, Oyani went back to Isiolo where he established Kambi Ya Juu Integrated School as he taught in other schools such as Wabera, Waso and Hekima primary schools until 2000 when he retired from his teaching career.

For Oyani, the journey of raising his children, teaching and being visually impaired has been exciting, though coupled with some challenges, which he has been able to navigate.

“When I lost my sight, I didn’t pity myself, rather I tried to show people that I could carry on with my normal duties just like every other person,” he says. 

He lost his sight in 1954 following a measles outbreak. “I was born in Baragoi in Samburu county. My father was working in a game reserve under the Kenya Wildlife Service. They then relocated to Isiolo in the early 1950s. The measles outbreak occurred around 1954.

At that time there were no hospitals, but just a small manyatta where people could access some basic services. My parents had no knowledge about the manyatta hence I was treated traditionally only to end up losing my sight,” he recalls.

From then on, Oyani says his life changed. Some people thought he was bewitched. But he chose to forge ahead. 

In early 1959, his father with the help of a white national, William Powys, took him to Thika School for the Blind where he pursued his education. He then joined Thogoto Teachers Training College in 1979. After completing his studies, Oyani went back to Thika School for the Blind to teach. 

Against all  odds

But Oyami laments how society views people with various disabilities as people who can’t lead normal lives.

“My parents even wanted to get a wife for me, but I told them I would do it on my own, which I did. God blessed me with my first wife whom we got five children together before she fell sick and passed away.

At this point, I had to prove to my children that I would be there for them despite my disability. I used to guide and give them instructions on how to carry out some duties such as cooking even if I couldn’t go close to fire and cleaning and they turned out just fine.

I was lucky to have the support of friends and the church. I later remarried, and my wife, Agatha has been supportive,” he says.

Oyani also has a great passion for music and has recorded several songs in Turkana and Kikuyu languages. He is normally invited to perform in national functions. He is also committed to church activities and serves as the co-sergeant major at his Salvation Army church in Nakadeli.

His word of advice to fathers “Take up your roles effectively. Stop neglecting your families. Avoid engaging in vices such as alcohol and substance abuse if you want to bring up healthy families. A father is the foundation of every family hence he needs to set a good example.”