Michael is an orphaned boy and the first born in a family of four children. His parents died in 1999 and 2001 respectively after long illnesses caused by HIV/AIDS. Before they died, the father worked for a meager wage as a night watchman. The mother fell sick and after her death the father continued to work in Thika. In the year 2000, his residence in the slums of Thika got burned with all his belongings. His health later deteriorated and he died in 2001. The uncle of the children facilitated his burial even though much of the resources he had were used in trying to treat his brother, who was suffering from AIDS.

At this time Michael was only 15 years old. As the first born he had the obligation to take care of his three younger sisters, so he worked hard to buy food. He says "I used to skip school to look for food as my young sisters went to school. At times we would lack food and we would sleep hungry."

The children used to stay alone in the home and take care of themselves. Their plight was highlighted by a Kenyan newspaper in 2003, after which Mully Children's Family (MCF) rescued them. They were brought to MCF where they started accessing food, shelter, medical care, education, spiritual nourishment and parental love. At the moment, two of his sisters are in class 6 and 7 respectively. Michael was a grade seven dropout at the time of rescue and currently is at Form One at MCF Ndalani.