Margaret Wangui was diagnosed with kidney failure in November 2023, marking the beginning of a prolonged medical battle that has left her dependent on dialysis and pushed her family into severe financial distress.
Wangui, who requires two dialysis sessions every week, said a donor has already been identified, but the family cannot raise the amount needed for the transplant after exhausting their savings on treatment.
“I am appealing to well-wishers and Kenyans of goodwill to help me get treatment. I have a donor, but I don’t know how I will raise the money needed for the transplant,” she said.
Wangui said her condition worsened after a failed catheter insertion procedure six months ago left her right hand paralysed.
She said the doctors later inserted another catheter through her left thigh, but it has since become blocked, forcing her to miss dialysis for three weeks and putting her life at greater risk.
Although the Social Health Authority (SHA) currently supports part of her treatment, Wangui said she is unable to raise the KSh 40,000 required for a procedure to insert a permanent catheter.
SHA is expected to cover Ksh50, 000 of out of the Ksh90, 000 needed. However, the prolonged illness has taken a toll on the family.
“I am grateful for the support from SHA, but I cannot raise the remaining amount, which is why I am appealing to Kenyans to help me get treatment,” she said.
Her mother, Jane Wanja, said Wangui now relies entirely on her support.
She noted that the family is facing a double burden, with Wangui’s father previously paralysed and currently unemployed.
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“Each day comes with fresh stress and uncertainty. We have stretched every resource to support her treatment, but the situation is becoming unbearable,” Wanja said.
She appealed to well-wishers, leaders and charitable organisations to help her daughter access the life-saving surgery.
By Shaban Omar
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