This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
Wendy Waeni, a 14-year-old gymnast, has been making headlines after exposing her former manager Joe Mwangi's alleged exploitation. The form one student at St Georges High School has been performing acrobatics since the age of four in Huruma.
Waeni has performed for great leaders across the world, including Rwanda's President Kagame, but despite her success, she still lives in abject poverty with her mother in a single room in Huruma.
Speaking to Jeff Koinange, Waeni revealed that she had never received a penny from her performances, thanks to her former manager Joe Mwangi.
"I HAVE PERFORMED ALL OVER THE WORLD BUT I’VE NEVER GOTTEN A PENNY FROM IT AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF MY PREVIOUS MANAGER (JOE MWANGI). I LIVE IN A SINGLE ROOM IN HURUMA WITH MY MOTHER," she told Jeff Koinange.
Waeni's mother also spoke out, saying that people often ask her why she still lives in a single room despite her daughter's fame.
"PEOPLE KEEP ASKING ME ‘WHY ARE YOU STILL STAYING IN THAT HOUSE (SINGLE ROOM) YET YOUR DAUGHTER IS KNOWN ACROSS THE GLOBE?" Wendy’s mother said in an interview with Citizen TV.
Waeni has since forgiven Joe Mwangi and thanked Kenyans for standing with her, crediting Jeff Koinange and Chris Kirwa for helping to share her story.
"I would like to thank Jeff Koinange because without him, my story would have never been heard. Thanks to Chris Kirwa too. May God bless you," she said on Radio Jambo.
Waeni now has a new manager and has urged others to have mercy on young kids who may be exploited like she was.
"I have forgiven him and if there’s anyone out there planning to do what Joe Mwangi did to me, don’t dare. Have mercy on young kids," she said.
Joe Mwangi has denied the allegations, and the DCI has launched an investigation into the case.
