By Shaban Omar
What began as a normal illness three years ago has turned into a painful battle for survival for 34-year-old ECDE teacher Margaret Wangui from Diani in Kwale County.
Wangui recalls developing swollen legs and face and severe body fatigue before seeking medical attention.
After several tests, doctors delivered devastating news that her kidneys had failed.
The diagnosis that began in November 2023 marked the beginning of a difficult journey that has slowly robbed her of the vibrant life she once enjoyed.
Once energetic and full of hope, Wangui now spends most of her days in and out of hospital undergoing dialysis sessions as she fights to stay alive.
Her condition has also pushed the family into deep financial hardship.
Wangui urgently requires a kidney transplant that will cost approximately Ksh2.1 million, an amount her family says is beyond their reach after exhausting their savings on medication and frequent dialysis treatment.
Despite the challenges, a ray of hope remains after a donor was identified.
However, raising the required amount for the transplant has become the biggest obstacle.
“I am appealing to well-wishers and Kenyans of goodwill to help me get treatment. Right now, you are my only hope. I already have a donor, but I do not know how I will raise the money needed for the transplant,” Wangui said.
Wangui’s suffering has been compounded by further medical complications after her right hand became paralysed following what she described as a failed procedure to insert a catheter for dialysis six months ago.
The paralysis has left her in constant pain and placed her teaching career in jeopardy as she struggles to carry out her duties.
She said doctors later inserted another catheter through her left thigh to enable her continue with dialysis treatment.
However, the catheter has since become blocked, forcing her to miss dialysis sessions for the last three weeks, a situation that has severely endangered her life.
Wangui normally undergoes dialysis sessions twice every week with each dialysis session costs approximately Ksh10, 650, an amount that would have been impossible for the family to sustain without support from the SHA, which currently caters for the treatment costs.
The lengthy treatment sessions have taken a heavy toll on her health and daily life, leaving her weak and dependent on constant medical care.
According to Wangui, doctors have now advised her to undergo another operation to insert a permanent catheter so she can resume dialysis as she awaits a kidney transplant.
However, financial constraints continue to stand in the way of her treatment despite support from the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“The operation costs Ksh 90,000. SHA will pay Ksh 50,000 and I am supposed to pay Ksh 40,000 which is hard for me now” she said.
The family is now calling on individuals, leaders and charitable organizations to support Wangui in her quest to undergo the life-saving surgery and rebuild her life.
Wangui’s mother, Jane Wanja, described her daughter’s journey as painful and emotionally draining for the entire family.
She said Wangui now depends heavily on her support after her right hand became paralysed, making it difficult for her to perform even simple daily tasks on her own.
According to Wanja, the family is battling a double tragedy as Wangui’s father was also paralysed at one point and is currently unemployed.
She said the burden of treatment has left the family exhausted financially and emotionally after using every resource within their reach to keep their daughter alive.
“Every day comes with fresh stress and uncertainty. We have done everything possible to support her treatment, but the situation is becoming unbearable for the family,” Wanja said.
Wanja is now appealing to well-wishers, leaders and charitable organisations to intervene and help her daughter access proper treatment so that she can regain her health and return to her normal life.
She said Wangui, the only daughter in the family, has always been their pillar of strength and main source of support.
According to Wanja, the family’s life has drastically changed since Wangui fell ill, adding that her deteriorating health has left a huge emotional and financial gap at home.
“Wangui has always been the backbone of this family. We are only asking Kenyans of goodwill to stand with us during this difficult moment,” she said.
