This archive report was first published on 18 September 2021.
Clay Muganda, a Kenyan writer, has four children, but he only takes care of three. He makes this clear to avoid being labeled a deadbeat dad. The reason for this is rooted in his past, where he had a daughter with an unmarried mother, whom he last saw 21 years ago.
When asked about his marital status, Muganda often gets questions about his children. He attributes this to the stigma surrounding unmarried mothers, which also affects unmarried fathers like himself.
Muganda has been trying to locate his daughter for years, but he hasn't been lucky. He has been in touch with her mother, who has declined to provide more information about their daughter's whereabouts.
One of Muganda's nephews had claimed to know where his daughter was, but he kept changing his story. Muganda is worried about how old his daughter will be when he finally finds her, or when she finds him.
He is concerned about his daughter's education and wants to be responsible for it. Muganda's father had always emphasized the importance of education for their sisters, and he wants to follow in his footsteps.
Despite the challenges, Muganda remains hopeful that he will eventually reconnect with his daughter and be able to provide for her education.
