STRUGGLES OF LIFE

Chapter 1

The atmosphere was filled with cries from neighbors.Elvis could not believe seeing the dead bodies of his parents lying in front of him.Tears rolled down his cheeks.The two bodies were later on taken to the mortuary.Elvis was now an orphan at an early age of 12 years.

Don, Elvis' a uncle promised to take care of Elvis as they plan for the burial ceremony.He was to stay with him in Kibra slums where he also promised to have Elvis educated.Contributions were made by neighbors and later on the dead were given their last respect as they were being lowered into their graves.

The journey to Nairobi began after a few weeks.Elvis enjoyed the view from the bus window.He was shocked with the buildings on his way.The street lights left him astonished.

Suddenly the bus came to a stop and Don asked him that they have to alight from the bus.They took a matatu which took them to Lainisaba;an area in Kibra slum.Don led him to his house where he met Miriam;Don's wife and his two children.

Elvis was warmly welcomed but the atmosphere changed few weeks later.The promise to have Elvis educated were never fulfilled.Don asked Elvis to help him run his kiosk along the road.He would wake up at 4 am to run the kiosk without any payment.What he only received was food but at a smaller quantity.His clothes were very old but none saw that.At evenings before he could go to sleep he had to help the children with their homework and later on clean the dishes.As time pass by his body began to pale indicating his suffering.

A 12 years boy began looking old.A few months later Elvis decided to run away from the house and start his life in the streets.Early morning as usual he was sent to the kiosk."This is the day to be free."He told himself.He went direct to the kiosk and packed some food and left for his freedom.He moved to Lindi where he thought he would have his freedom.The two places were not far so he did not have to get any means of transport.Life alone was not easy but not lesser than it had been before.His work was to beg in the streets for food and some money which he used for clothes.At night he had to find shelter in the dump sites.The smell in the area was stuffy but he had to cope up with.

Early mornings he could wake up and begin to hustle.He had to move longer distances because finding help among the poor was also not easy.Some people took him as a thief who was pretending in order to take advantage on them.They treated him harshly.Some good people were always ready to help him.

As time goes by, he made friendship with Richard who was also a street boy but with a higher experience than him.Richard showed him new styles of begging by pretending to be a blind person."Welcome to the streets where we believe in struggle for the fittest."These were Richard's words to him.Later on Richard introduced him to their g**g members.

"Meet Tom,Craig and Dan."The five members would split themselves into two groups and go to search for food.They would then meet late evenings at the dump site and share the food.This was their way of life.

They later on expanded their territory towards Langata.This was an area for the middle class people.At least here they were assured of some food in the pits.However their threat was the security guards of this homesteads.These men and women were not friendly.They were always ready to hurt the street boys in the name of doing their job.

Later on as the five were on their mission to search for food they came along a black Mercedes Benz parked off the road.The owner was not around.They came up with a plan on how to steal from the car.Elvis was nervous as he had never done this before.He used to believe that stealing was not right but now he thought he had to do it so as to survive.Richard,Craig and Tom were to be on the look out as Dan and Elvis went ahead to carry out the operation.The two headed to the front windows and tried to break them.Luckily they managed.The two were astonished with the amount of money they saw on the back seat.Their plan was going on well until Elvis felt a cold grasp on his shoulder."Who are you?"A man in black suit and brown tie asked Elvis in a deep voice.When Elvis turned his head he saw his friends running away."I...am..so"before he could finish he felt a huge blow on his face which sent him to Jupiter.

When he opened his eyes he found himself tied on a chair.Infront of him stood three huge men on their black suits.The room was lit by a single bulb."Who are you and where do you come from?"The man at the middle asked.Elvis was left with no option but to explain his life story to them."Wow we can use this young man."The man to the right said."Welcome to the g**g"The one on the left said.Elvis' hands were untied."There are no fishy games here!"The man shouted at him."You are going to be selling drugs on our behalf."Elvis agreed but simply because he had no choice.However he had planned to escape after few days.

The new job began and Elvis received ten percent of what he sold.He also got a place to sleep and some food.He decided that he would stay as he thought life was atleast better now.Few months later as he was on his usual business of selling drugs he came across two policemen."Why are you not in school at this time of day young man."A friendly voice asked."My mom is not able to raise school fees."Elvis replied trying to sound innocent."Where do you live?"Elvis pointed his finger to the west."Can you take us to your home?"Elvis was shocked and he planned to escape but before he could make a move the police got hold of him."Let us check your bag.What!you are under arrest for selling drugs you small demon."Elvis became silent.He was taken to the police car and it took off.