Waitress, 23, who returned Ksh60, 000 forgotten by customer warms Kenyans’ hearts

A 23-year-old woman, who works as a waitress at Nice Digital City Hotel in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, has warmed the hearts of many Kenyans online and offline after she returned Ksh60, 000 that was left behind by a female customer.

Eveline Karendi said she recently found a women’s bag left at the hotel, and when she opened and looked what was inside the carrier, she saw several a thousand Kenyan shillings notes, which totaled to Ksh60, 000.

Karendi said she ran outside carrying the bag, hoping to find the customer at the parking lot. However, the customer, who had stopped at the hotel for a meal on her way to Meru, had already left.

Karendi said she took the bag to the hotel manager, Marion Nkirote, who informed the restaurant’s director, Njiru Mkombozi, about the discovery.

“The day I found the money, I was undergoing financial hardship. And, all of a sudden, there I was, with Ksh60, 000 at my disposal. I prayed and asked God to show me the way. I, thereafter, opted to return the money because my parents raised me to respect honesty as a virtue,” said Karendi.

Karendi, a born-again Christian, has since been promoted and awarded a salary increment.

Nice Digital City Hotel manager, Nkirote, described Karendi, who has three years’ experience in the hospitality industry, as a dedicated and honest employee.

It was established that the money belonged to one Dr Esther Mbaabu, who was elated at getting her cash back.