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City mum in need of Sh3 million for son’s spinal surgery – VIDEO


A mother of adult twins is appealing to Kenyans to help her raise Sh3 million required for her son’s second spinal surgery in India.

Lucia Mulewa has been nursing her 31 year-old son, Killian Mutua, for the last five years since he was injured in an accident along Nairobi-Kangundo road.

Mutua, then aged 26, was in the company of his twin brother Nicholas and three other cousins on the morning of April 17, 2011 when the car they were travelling in rolled, leaving him with a spinal injury.

The rest of the occupants of the saloon car sustained minor injuries but Killian had to undergo a major surgery.

He was first treated at Kenyatta National Hospital and later underwent a surgery at Mater Hospital under the care of Dr CK Musau where a metal plate was installed near his spine.

“After the surgery he stayed at Mater Hospital for three weeks and was discharged to be undergoing physiotherapy,” recalls the mother.

The mother of two single handedly met the physiotherapy costs as well as the weekly changing of a urinal catheter until she was unable to raise the required amount.

“During the second year I called for help from family and friends and we had three mini-harambees to enable us raise money for the clinics,” Lucia told Nairobi News during an interview.

In November last year, the family ran out of funds and even the extended family and friends were unable to raise more money.

Lucia Mulewa during the interview with Nairobi News. PHOTO | FRANSOIR NDERITU
Lucia Mulewa during the interview with Nairobi News. PHOTO | FRANSOIR NDERITU

TESTS AND SURGERY

“We stopped taking Killian for the physiotherapy sessions and even the catheter which was blocked became of no use and we reverted to using adult diapers,” said Lucia.

The family has been struggling with purchasing diapers as the mother left her job as a supermarket attendant to dedicate more time to her ailing son while running a small estate kiosk.

Killian’s twin brother works at an estate supermarket and hardly has enough money required for his brother’s upkeep.

“We have exhausted all avenues of fundraising and have come out to ask good Samaritans to help us so that the second surgery to remove the plate and help Killian regain his ability to move with support and at least visit the toilet hence reducing the diaper budget,” said Lucia.

The family has obtained a quote from Artemis Hospital in India which indicates that the tests and surgery will cost Sh1.5 million.

“When we calculated the physiotherapy required after the surgery plus other expenses while in India we came to a figure of Sh3 million but we are still looking for a cheaper option,” said the mother of two.

Killian, who at the time of the accident was engaged, has remained under the care of his mother after his fiancé closed all channels of communication.

Well-wishers can donate to Killian’s Co-operative Bank account, Buru Buru branch 01108103259700 or send donations to his M-pesa number 0714533214.