Visually impaired groom weds his college sweetheart after courting for four years

Visually impaired Benson Wachira and Winfred Wanjiru during their wedding ceremony at Mihuti PCEA church in Mukurweini, Nyeri County. [Photo: Lydiah Nyawira/Standard]

By Lydiah Nyawira

Nyeri, Kenya: An elegant bride walks down the aisle flanked by her parents towards her college sweetheart who stands at the altar, patiently waiting with a smile on his face. He stares blankly ahead, trusting that the angel being brought to him is the love of his life.

Visually impaired Benson Wachira, 29, and his bride Winfred Wanjiru, 25, have been courting for four years and looking forward to this day when they would show the world that lack of sight was no obstacle to love.

The joyful atmosphere filled the church as the couple exchanged marriage vows and ululations rocked the air. Perhaps the joy was tenfold because when Wachira lost his sight in 2006 after a short illness, he never expected that his life would ever be ‘normal’.

“My life instantly changed when my world went dark and I lost my sight but today I have my sights set on the most wonderful woman I would ever ask God for as a wife,” Wachira said.

College students

Their love life began when Winnie, as her friends call her, spotted a group of 25 visually impaired college students in the dining hall at Machakos Teachers Training College where she was also studying.

“I noticed that they didn’t have anyone to serve them and I made up my mind to bring them their meals from the counter. As I served them every day, I eventually became friends with Ben,” says a beaming Wanjiru.

With a bright smile, she explained how when he asked her out for a date the first time she said “No” but after a while she began to see him as a kind-hearted gentleman despite his blindness.

“We started taking long walks and I would read to him some of the books which were not in Braille to help him study and I realised he was just a normal man who was smart, generous and I could relate to him,” quips Wanjiru.

When the time came to tell her family that she had indeed chosen a visually impaired groom, Wanjiru had no problem and her parents did not see it as a big deal.

“My parents were very supportive and even gave us their blessing but some of my friends were not as supportive. But my heart and mind were made up. I am the happiest bride today,” she said.

Wachira explained that he was overwhelmed with Wanjiru’s generosity and kindness to people living with disability.

“I know we are under pressure because of my blindness to be good role models to the rest of the world that disability is not inability but we are just going to share our lives together and leave the rest to God,” Wachira said.

The ceremony was presided over by the Reverend Ann Gitahi at Mihuti PCEA church in Mukurweini, Nyeri County.

Wachira is a representative of persons living with disability in the Mukurweini Constituency Development Fund committee (CDFC).

Area MP Kabando wa Kabando attended the wedding and congratulated the couple.

“Wachira is an inspiration to many, he has a positive attitude to life which has led him to be elected to the CDFC and pushed him to serve others,” Mr Kabando said.

To crown the couple’s happy day, Kabando announced that the Teachers’ Service Commission had sent an appointment letter to Wachira.

“We as the CDFC appreciate the appointment by the TSC and I intend to personally deliver the letter to Wachira as his wedding gift which is very timely,” Kabando said.