It is March 7, 2015, and four armed robbers storm into Professor David Omondi Achieng’s home and shoots him as he alights from his car at his home in Kanyakwar, Kisumu West.
Professor Achieng was then a lecturer at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University.
Billl Omondi, the third born of his four children had traveled to Nairobi to pay for his graduation fees at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
Just like his three sisters and his mother, he got traumatized and depressed as they had not envisioned such a tragic loss, so soon.
Omondi, a Bachelors of Law graduate had to fit in his dad’s shoes as the mother was diagnosed with cancer just months after his father’s burial.
“Life had to change. I got so many responsibilities and I also had to look after my ailing mother,” Omondi said during his interview with Lake Region Bulletin.
Life turned upside down when he lost his mother in 2017.
David Omondi Achieng. (Photo: Courtesy)
Mental Health
In 2016, Omondi was admitted to The Kenya School of Law to complete his long term ambition of becoming an advocate after graduating from Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
This dream, he says, started way back in high school at Chemelil Sugar Academy where he constantly represented the school debate competitions.
His childhood interactions especially with those around his father who was a lover of law and politics made him passionate about judicial systems and operations which furthered the interest in learning matters of legislative drafting and constitutional reforms.
But even with this, the death of his parents sank him into depression, and had to undergo counseling and therapy in order to regain his life.
And after recovery, he ventured into helping other young people suffering mental health, and went ahead to form Lachi Foundation to help him drive the agenda.
Apart from mental health matters, the organization has expanded to focus on good governance and human rights to attain better livelihood among the young people.
Omondi who is the CEO of this organization says the things he went through after the demise of his parents motivated him to start the organization.
This organization that usually come together with a team of volunteers to give donations to children’s home, the homeless and people with special needs has visited over 20 children’s home in the country to support the needy.
With the aim of transforming and offering guidance and counseling on matters of mental health, the foundation supports mainly children and the youth in their projects.
“I have been there, and I know what it can cause. My past is my greatest motivation to run this organization,’’ he said.
Bill Omondi during food donations at Mercy’s Children Home
Legacy
Omondi who now plans on running a successful law firm was admitted to the bar as an advocate in 2020.
He is also focusing on his interest in legislative drafting and family laws.
In a bid to keep his father’s legacy, the Aga Khan Primary School alumnus is also engaged in community development programs that supports the youth.
