An ailing Kenyan man who was denied permission by the government to travel abroad for specialized treatment has passed away.
25-year-old Kenneth Kamau Kinyua from Embu County was seeking to fly to India for a kidney transplant but the Ministry of Health declined to give him the required approval, arguing that such procedures are performed locally.
“If the patient states they are going to undergo, for instance, a Caesarian Section in India, we decline because we have so many hospitals in the country offering that type of service,” said an official at the ministry.
Kinyua, an Information Technology student at Mount Kenya University, succumbed to kidney failure at Nairobi West Hospital on Saturday.
His family is appealing to Kenyans of goodwill to help them raise a hospital bill of Sh980,000 left behind by the deceased. The family said it had sold all its property in a bid to save their son’s life.
“We cannot be able to raise such an amount of money. We sold everything, our house is empty with nothing else to sell,” said David Kinyua, the deceased’s father.
The family said Kinyua would still be alive had the government allowed him to seek treatment in India.
The deceased was diagnosed with stage five kidney failure in 2017 and has been surviving on three dialysis sessions per week until his death.
“He underwent three surgeries, I think this led to his kidneys failing,” said John Kandia, his guardian.
Help can be sent through Mpesa Pay Bill number, 222911, Account number, Kamau.
Did Governor Isaac Ruto get…
Did Governor Isaac Ruto get permission from Ministry of Health to visit South Africa for a bandage on his cheek? Why would citizens need permission from the ministry to seek medical attention abroad on their own dime? It’s not like NHIF was paying for the trip or procedure?
That’s the government you…
That’s the government you voted in hehehehehehe
How come no member of…
How come no member of political class has ever been denied travel abroad for any treatment regardless of how trivial their issue may be? As we speak Ken Okoth is in Paris and Bomet Governor, Laboso is is also abroad (UK) enjoying treatment they are denying other Kenyans! Last year Juja MP (Munyua Wairimu) was in India for treatment where he met other 13 MPs who were also secretly going through treatment in India! I remember two years ago the then governor Ruto went to South Africa for treatment due to minor scratch on the face. Why wasn’t he denied travel for that minor scratch? Stop denying treatment to fellow citizens while spending their tax money abroad for the same! Shame on you!
Also please build good hospitals in Kenya instead of running to former colonizers for treatment all the time! If you had spent taxpayers money in establishing reputable medical facilities in the country, this guy would have not even thought of going out of the country and he would still be alive!
Well said!
“..Stop denying…
Well said!
“..Stop denying treatment to fellow citizens while spending their tax money abroad for the same! Shame on you!”
I feel you on this….anger…
I feel you on this….anger and pain
This is trully…
This is trully unconscionable. Kenyans should take to the streets to demonstrate against the heartless decision by the government
What nonsense is this?…”…
What nonsense is this?…”“If the patient states they are going to undergo, for instance, a Caesarian Section in India, we decline because we have so many hospitals in the country offering that type of service,” said an official at the ministry”…..Why don’t they apply the same concept to politicians? Laboso is in UK. Why didn’t they tell her to go to a local hospital?
Why? Because some ‘things’…
Why? Because some ‘things’ in Kenya are preserves of royalty only. Soon you’ll not be buying top choice beef cuts….you know, those are just meant for royalty.
The Butcher will be like..: you can’t buy this…..we have matumbo and matharigo for you. Sadly, that seems to be the Kenya mpya.
It would be agood idea,if…
It would be agood idea,if the government came up with a program that funds medical bills the deceased leaves behind so that the bereaved dont get hit twice…This would help alot,especially when afamily looses the bread winner.Please note that not all Kenyans can afford insurance.
As acountry, we have to come up with programs that will enhance livelihood of all Kenyans,be they rich or poor.Just because its not being done anywhere,does not mean that we cannot lead the way.
Would that be sustainable? …
Would that be sustainable? Good vision but waaaaay too ambitious for Kenya under the current leadership…..me thinks.
@just me ,if you breakdown…
@just me ,if you breakdown the 80k owed you will find that some of the fat could be treamed.For example charging for room when the cost was part of construction. Second ,3cents tax with not burden workers much…
The family has a legal claim…
The family has a legal claim against the Government. Sue the Government. We should refuse double standards. The poor are treated like garbage; the rich are the golden eggs. Damn it.
So true!
So true!
I don’t know why Kenyans…
I don’t know why Kenyans trust India that much. I always suspect they steal vital organs and sell to developed countries
It may be that treatment in…
It may be that treatment in India is more affordable for a family already burdened. Was this taken into account?
wow, so stupid. they may…
wow, so stupid. they may offer the same but not as advanced as seen by his death. how come they don’t stop Mpigs from going? dumb. mafi ya kuku govt
What do they mean they…
What do they mean they decline?
How can the govt dictate…
How can the govt dictate where a Kenyan is o receive treatment and yet the sick Kenyan is paying his bill? The kind of system we have in Kenya is worrying. Do we have an import substitution policy in Kenya?
Slavery was never truly…
Slavery was never truly abolished in Kenya..no sir! It just traded hands from the colonials to the supreme African oppressors of their own people. How is it the rich hop around the globe seeking treatment whilst the under dogs don’t deserve equal treatment? My cynical self thinks they are needed for medical experiments for those imported Cubans Doctors. Upuzi mtupu..taking food off a poor person! The injustice of it all!
It’s time our Kenyan well…
It’s time our Kenyan well learned friends of good will, provide pro bono hours to sue the ministry. Money will not replace lost life, but this family needs repreve from hospital and funeral bills.
I like the way KOL jump to…
I like the way KOL jump to conclusion. Anyone who has travelled outside Kenya knows that one does not require clearance from the Health Ministry. The clearance was requested because the family wanted NHIF to pay for the operation. We have been to India for treatment, and back, and the health ministry does not even know that we travelled for treatment.
I say to the politicians…
I say to the politicians… deny all kenyans permissions to go abroad ata ya masomo mpaka sisi wakenya tupate adabu. for how long will we idly stand by and get mad, some things beg for actions but we have been reduced to just complaining . for how long
Dada yetu Sukari amesema:
“…
Dada yetu Sukari amesema:
” Slavery was never truly abolished in Kenya..no sir! It just traded hands from the colonials to the supreme African oppressors of their own people.”
Wakenya watakapoelewa na kukubali mafundisho makuu uliyosema, wataanza kupambana na kutotawaliwa na wale tunaofanana nao kwa rangi tu. Mkoloni ni mkoloni: awe anatoka nje ya nchi au amezaliwa nchini. Kwa nini Wakoloni wa sura ya Kiafrika wanaweka pesa zao kwa siri kwenye nchi zilizotutawala za Yuropa?
This is very sad how can a…
This is very sad how can a person be denied a chance to safe his life while others are flying anytime for the same this is a injustice of high degree I request you all to support the family through the pay and saw this heartless men we can carry each other burden let them know we are brothers and sisters keeper
Its so sad!nchi ya mafisi na…
Its so sad!nchi ya mafisi na ma pigs!!