This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
Eight years ago, Victor married the love of his life, but little did he know that the COVID-19 pandemic would put their love to the test. The pandemic has changed everything, and Victor now realizes how 'valueless and useless' he is perceived by his wife.
Victor, a 39-year-old construction foreman from Kambi Muru in Kibra, was a happy man with his wife and three children. He earned a daily wage of Sh2,000, but everything changed soon after the Ministry of Health announced the first positive COVID-19 case.
He lost his job a week later, and his wife's income stream remained steady as a casual domestic worker. They talked about their financial status and agreed to adjust their expenditures, but life took a different shape two weeks down the line.
Victor's wife began to flirt with men on phone in his presence, denied him food, and scolded him. She blamed him for failing to secure another job with a wage higher or equivalent to his previous pay. Victor felt hurt and tormented, and the situation escalated to the point where his wife wished him death in the presence of their children.
Victor had reached the end of his tether in June and wanted to revenge by killing his wife and children. Luckily, he stumbled upon a group of men reading an article about a hotline – 1196 free for men undergoing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). He decided to call, and the counsellors have really helped him deal with the tension within.
Victor takes courage in the fact that he is not alone and someone somewhere cares for him. However, he wishes he could find a new lease of life and a job to start a new life away from his wife.
Published on August 3, 2020, by nation.co.ke
