A viral video capturing the raw agony of a man watching his livelihood vanish has sparked a fierce debate on predatory lending and auctioneering practices. Drama erupted in Thika town as businessman Rufas Kiretai wailed uncontrollably, his two lorries sold off by an auctioneer he claims acted outside the law.

The scene was heart-wrenching. Kiretai, flanked by his young daughters in school uniforms, screamed in anguish as the hammer fell. "I have paid! I have paid!" he cried, his voice breaking with desperation. The vehicles, valued at over Ksh 7 million, were reportedly sold to settle a disputed debt, leaving the family destitute and in shock.

A Deal Gone Wrong

According to Kiretai, the nightmare began with a court order to pay Ksh 2.5 million following an accident involving one of his trucks.He had negotiated the sum down to Ksh 1 million with the complainant and had already paid Ksh 700,000. Yet, the auctioneer proceeded to seize and sell both lorries—his primary source of income—ignoring the progress made on the payment plan.

• The Loss: Two lorries, Reg. KDB 265U and KCU 122U, were sold for a fraction of their value.
• The Impact: Kiretai says his children have been forced out of school, and the family faces eviction due to rent arrears.
• The Outcry: The incident has drawn condemnation from the public, with calls for the auctioneering board to investigate the firm involved.

Justice Denied?

"They have robbed me of my life," Kiretai lamented, tears streaming down his face. The confrontation turned chaotic as family members clashed with the auctioneer's agents, but the vehicles were driven away, leaving a cloud of dust and despair. As legal experts weigh in, the question remains: How many more families must be broken before the sector is tamed?

For Kiretai, the fight is far from over. He has vowed to seek justice, not just for his trucks, but for the dignity that was stripped from him on the streets of Thika.