Mosiria shares update on woman rescued from Nairobi streets
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 28, 2025Nairobi County’s Citizen Engagement and Customer Care boss, Geoffrey Mosiria, has shared a fresh update on Martha Njoki Esther, the young woman he rescued from the streets of Nairobi, saying her recovery is progressing well and her condition has improved significantly.
In a statement posted on Sunday, December 28, 2025, Mosiria said he paid a follow-up visit to Martha, weeks after rescuing her from outside City Hall. When he first found her, she was sleeping in the open, weak, sick and largely ignored by passers-by. He said she had lost hope, suffered chest pains and struggled with addiction after years on the streets.
Mosiria said the streets had stripped Martha of her dignity, health and sense of purpose. He explained that her situation reflected the harsh reality faced by many people battling addiction and homelessness in Nairobi’s central business district.
He now says her condition has changed.
According to Mosiria, Martha has shown clear physical, emotional and mental improvement since entering care. He said she looks healthier, more stable and more hopeful than when she lived on the streets. She is currently undergoing medical treatment and rehabilitation, with doctors monitoring her progress closely.
“Martha is doing well,” Mosiria said, adding that her recovery shows what can happen when intervention meets commitment and follow-up.
Transformation sparks public support
This update follows widespread public attention earlier in the week after photos of Martha at a rehabilitation centre circulated online. The images showed a clear contrast from her earlier state, when she appeared dishevelled, withdrawn and visibly unwell. In the new photos, she appeared well-groomed and alert, sparking strong reactions across social media.
Mosiria first shared Martha’s transformation on Boxing Day, during a visit to the rehabilitation centre. At the time, he said plans were in place to support her return to normal life once she completes treatment. These plans include helping her reconnect with family members who had lost contact with her and assisting her to secure work when she is stable enough.
Many Kenyans responded by praising the intervention and calling for more support for people struggling with addiction. Some said Martha’s story shows how quickly a life can change when someone steps in at the right time.
In his latest statement, Mosiria said the experience had reinforced his belief that addiction can be defeated when families and communities act together. He urged Kenyans not to abandon relatives or friends facing similar struggles and asked the public to stop ignoring people living on the streets.
He also appealed for continued support for Martha’s recovery and for others in need of rehabilitation services.
Martha’s case is not an isolated one. Earlier this year, Mosiria also helped a Kenyan-Indian woman who had lived on the streets of Westlands for nearly four decades due to illness. He took her to hospital for treatment and committed to follow up on her care.