By Violet Auma || violetmedia8@gmail.com
Kezia Nyambura Macharia, a 41-year-old mother of three from Kiambogo village in Kipipiri Constituency, wakes up each morning to a battle she never imagined fighting.
The swelling in her stomach, which began as a small bulge in 2020, now dominates her life, stretching her skin, limiting her movement, and leaving her exhausted
Once a hardworking and independent woman, Kezia now struggles to perform the simplest tasks. Her life revolves around pain, uncertainty, and a desperate search for answers.
Her days are long and agonizing. Every step she takes is a burden, her swollen stomach feeling heavier than the largest pregnancy she ever carried.
The weight presses against her ribs, spine, and organs, making walking an ordeal. Simple movements require immense effort.
Nights offer no relief. She barely sleeps for more than ten minutes at a time, constantly waking up to reposition herself.
“Every time I need to turn in bed, I must first wake up, push myself up, and then reposition myself,” she explains, her voice laced with exhaustion. It is an endless, painful cycle that leaves her drained before the day even begins.
Kezia’s suffering is not just physical. The mysterious illness has stolen her ability to care for her children.
Her three young ones, once her greatest joy, now live with their grandmother. The separation breaks her heart. The laughter and warmth of their presence are now just distant memories.
“I have had this condition for five years now. My stomach big as you can see, and I am so stressed,” she says, her eyes welling with tears.
The questions never stop. What caused this? Why did it have to happen to her? Strangers stare at her in the streets, their eyes filled with curiosity and pity.
“People keep staring at me whenever I pass. I don’t know where this disease came from,” she says, frustration evident in her voice.
Desperate for answers, Kezia has knocked on many hospital doors. At JM Kariuki Memorial Hospital in Ol Kalou, an ultrasound showed nothing unusual.
Confused but determined, she sought further help at Nakuru PGH Hospital. There, a CT scan finally provided some insight.
The swelling originates from her uterus. Doctors recommended urgent surgery to remove the abnormal growth, but the financial burden is overwhelming.
“I have been advised to go to Kenyatta National Hospital for surgery, but I don’t have money. I appeal to well-wishers, including my president, William Ruto, whom I voted for, to come to my rescue,” she pleads.
Kezia’s world is shrinking as her condition worsens. What once were routine activities being now insurmountable challenges.
She cannot work, she cannot provide, and she cannot even hold her children close. The physical pain is relentless, but the emotional toll is even greater.
She feels trapped in her own body, waiting for a solution that remains just out of reach.
Her only hope lies in Kenyatta National Hospital, where doctors are prepared to perform the life-saving surgery she so desperately needs.
But hope alone cannot pay for the medical expenses. As her swelling continues to grow, so does the urgency of her plea. Time is running out.
“All I wish for is to be treated, for my life to go back to normal, and to take my children back. Please, help me,” she begs, her voice heavy with emotion.
Her story is one of silent suffering, a mother robbed of her strength, forced to rely on the kindness of strangers.
For Kezia, this journey is not just about medical care. It is a desperate fight to reclaim her life, reunite with her children, and finally sleep without the crushing weight of her own body robbing her of peace.
