Comedian Akuku Danger has openly discussed his ongoing battle with sickle cell anaemia and recently shared details about the traumatic experience.
In an interview on the Iko Nini podcast, Akuku recounts his diagnosis at age seven and the subsequent grim predictions provided by medical professionals throughout his childhood. The 33-year-old former Churchill show comedian recalls feeling discouraged when medics advised against admitting him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), expressing the belief that he would not pull through.
“I don’t want to tarnish the name of the hospital, but bro babangu aliambiwa hakuna haja ya huyu kijana awekwe kwa ICU. Huyu mtakuwa tu mnaharibu pesa. So nyinyi mchague ju sisi we are here to make money. So kama mtataka aende tutamuweka tu kwa machine but jueni tu hapa hakuna kitu tunangoja. So mimi naona hio pesa endeni muanze kutayarisha mazishi yake. I have heard those, but we are still here God bado ako na purpose na sisi,” he said.
Akuku emphasises the intense discomfort that he has painstakingly dealt with over time, underscoring his longing to spare his child from experiencing similarly dreadful pain. Based on the knowledge of medical professionals at the Mayo Clinic, sickle cell anaemia is a genetic complication that transforms the normal circular structure of the red blood cell. Consequently, certain red blood cells become contorted into a crescent-shaped configuration resembling sickles. This rigidity in the blood cell can hinder or even obstruct the normal flow of blood exposing affected individuals to periodic joint pain, swelling in the hands and feet, and vision impairments.
In 2021, Akuku Danger’s health took a turn for the worse which saw him being admitted to Nairobi West Hospital in December 2021 and frequently being admitted and discharged throughout the year 2022. However, he was eventually discharged on June 20, 2022, but faced one more obstacle – a hefty bill. According to the comedian’s girlfriend, Sandra Dacha, the substantial bill was Sh823,000 even after the application of Akuku’s insurance coverage.
