Kware body retriever reveals passion for the dead inspired his trade

 

Kyalo Wambua

Kyalo Wambua ,27 has been the man leading the retrieval of bodies from Nairobi’s Kware dumpsite.

He says he is driven by his love for the dead.

Wambua retrieved bodies from the dumpsite even before the recent killings.

“Some of the bodies I have retrieved are of people who have committed suicide by throwing themselves in the dumpsite. The only difference this time round is that I have been covered in the media,” he told the Star.

Wambua said from last week, since the pile of bodies were discovered, he has retrieved 13 bodies.

“I have been doing this alone without necessary protective gears,” he said.

He trained as a plant operator in 2018 after finishing his high school education and since then, he has been surviving on menial work.

“I have not told my family members back in Makueni county that I am the one retrieving the bodies. Family members don't have to know everything, however close they are,” he says.

Unlike many people, Wambua says he has not attached stigma to handling dead bodies.

Aware of the germs he attracts, he says he takes a hot bath every evening using anti-germ liquid soap.

“I have to wash myself with hot water everyday using Dettol to ensure I’m safe from the bacteria from the bodies," Wambua says.

“I'm sure there are more bodies in the dumpsite. Unfortunately I cannot reach them due to lack of proper gears."

He says people are giving him money as a way of thanking him for the good work he has done.

“They have been kind to me and regard me as the whistle blower,” Wambua says.

So far, he has not received any threats or harassment from anybody, including from police.

He says he hopes to secure employment as a plant operator to help him earn a decent living.

"I do any menial task that can afford me some cash. But i would be happy to find the job that i trained for an earn a decent keep."

 BY  GORDON OSEN