Kenyan Man Speaks for the First Time After 20 Years of Silence

In what his family has described as a miracle, a young Kenyan man has started speaking after spending the past 20 years in silence.

Utalii Lepeto from Lorubae village in Samburu East was born with hearing impairment in 2001, according to his mother Sabato Lepeto.

In 2008, his mother took him to Isiolo School for the Deaf where he was admitted after a hearing assessment confirmed he could not hear anything, not even a scream.

Four years later, his carer Amina Ibrahim discovered that Utalii, who had learned and was communicating in sign language, could hear although one had to speak loudly.

He later attempted to speak but could only make some sounds until he sat his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams in 2015.

“We used to speak to him (in loud voice) and he responded through sign language while he struggled to utter words,” his elder sister Jamila Lepeto told Nation.

Still convinced that he was still deaf, Utalii joined a secondary school for the deaf in Nyeri but drop out in Form 3 after his sponsor withdrew support.

Since then, he has been harvesting sand at the nearby River Ewaso Nyiro to help his mother, the sole breadwinner, fend for the family.

On April 10th, Utalii shocked his family, relatives, and neighbors when he suddenly uttered some words. His cousin Paul Letoiye says he woke him up saying “Habari”, meaning “Hello”.

“We did not even take breakfast. I was so happy to hear him utter some words,” Letoiye said.

Jane Lepalsintio, a neighbor said, “I was shocked when he asked me ‘Habari’ and at first took some time before responding. It is such a great miracle because he used to communicate to us through sign language.” 

His mother said, “I cannot believe my son whom we used to struggle to communicate with can now speak.”

The man is now able to speak and respond to greetings although he still struggles to hear.

“Nilianza kuongea juzi. Nasema Habari yako?” Utalii told Nation.

His sister Jamila called on well-wishers to help Utalii to continue with his education so that he can achieve his dreams.

Waso East Chief Henry Lenayasa said, “He should be assessed to establish if he needs an assistive device and we can later chip in and assist him to enroll in a regular school.”