Roads Less Travelled: A Street Kid’s Memoir Chapter Four — Hunger, Rejection, and a Small Victory in Meru Town

An illustration of Felix Kinyua's Memoir back page. Illustrated by Felix Kinyua. 

This is a continuing series drawn from Roads Less Travelled: A Street Kid’s Memoir by Felix Kinyua. Each installment shares an unedited extract from the book, offering readers an honest window into a childhood shaped by the streets—and the fragile moments of kindness that made survival possible.

Below is a direct, unchanged extract from Chapter Four.

Extract from Chapter Four

> As the sun begrudgingly rose over the streets of Meru town, I stumbled my way through the aftermath of the previous day's trials, my face bearing the fresh reminders of my misadventures. I sought refuge on a nearby empty veranda, my body aching, and I nestled into a corner like a battle-worn warrior seeking respite. Exhaustion engulfed me, and I drifted into a deep slumber, as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. In that elusive realm of dreams, even the scars and pain dared not intrude, or perhaps they did, but I was too lost in my own fanciful universe, a realm of perceived liberation, or so I naively believed.

>

> Time seemed to slip away, and when I finally awoke, the darkness had once again descended. The throbbing ache in my finger was relentless, a cruel reminder of my hunger, having not tasted sustenance for two seemingly endless days. Here I was, a mere child of six, navigating the unfamiliar terrain of a new town.

>

> My attempts to seek help from hotels and restaurants were met with dismissive glances and outright rejections, a common sentiment in this town. I was shooed away like an unwanted spectre, labelled a "dirty Chokora," and people clung to their belongings as if I were a lurking shadow of theft. Yet, amid this sea of indifference, a few kind souls emerged, and through their compassion, I managed to secure my first proper meal. It was a small victory, but it revitalized my spirits as I continued my search for fellow souls who shared my destitution.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter Four captures a pivotal moment: a six-year-old child alone in a strange town, rejected, hungry, and stigmatized—yet still pressing forward. It is a chapter about social cruelty, childhood resilience, and the quiet power of unexpected kindness.

This memoir does not ask for pity. It demands understanding.

About the Author

Felix Kinyua is a Kenyan author whose life story began on the margins of society. Raised in poverty and exposed to life on the streets at a young age, Felix writes with unfiltered honesty and emotional depth. Roads Less Travelled: A Street Kid’s Memoir preserves lived experiences many would rather ignore—so they are never forgotten.

Buy the Book

📘 Title:Roads Less Travelled: A Street Kid’s Memoir

💻 Format:Soft copy

💰 Price:KSh 350

📩 To purchase:

SMS/Whatsapp MEMOIR to +254 704 565 790

This is more than a book—it is a witness account of survival, dignity, and the long road home.