As NTV’s Janet Ikua Battles Lung Cancer, a Former Reputable Nation Journalist Battles with Kidney Failure

Imagine having it all, the money, the success and being at the peak of your career, travelling all over the continent then having it all taken away from you.

 That is the case of former Nation journalist John Kennedy Okada whose life became a turbulent turn in April 2002 after he developed a small swelling on his back which required a surgical procedure to manage it.

After undergoing the routine tests at a reputable hostile, he was diagnosed with diabetes type II, the most common form of Diabetes which occurs after the body cannot produce enough insulin to function properly.

 It has no cure but its quite manageable and he managed to control the condition with exercise and diet and occasionally medication over the period.

 But as it turns out, he was not out of the woods yet. Around July 2011, as he actively engaged in his consulting career which involved a lot of travel, he realized that he had difficulties moving short distances.

 He experienced unbearable fatigue, unexplained swellings on his feet and occasionally, drowsiness. Infact, moving from one floor to another was an incredibly strenuous task as he took about 30 minutes to move from one floor to another something which he was used to doing in a matter of seconds.

Unable to ignore the feelings anymore, he consulted a physician on 3rd October 2011 who advised on a number of medical tests.

 It was then discovered that he had also developed High Blood Pressure (HBP) and Kidney failure.

Devastating news for anyone to receive but he took it on his stride, managing the Kidney failure through dialysis twice a week and if need be three times a week at a cost of Kshs. 7000/- per session. Dialysis involves removing some of the wastes that have accumulated in the body and he revealed that the last time he used the loo normally was about 3 years ago! 3 years ago, can you imagine that?

 Some of the side effects of dialysis include the failure of other organs and since being diagnosed with Kidney failure, he has continued to develop multiple organ failures more so his failing eyesight

which requires surgical attention besides other conditions.

 He has been in and out of several medical facilities both as an in and out patient to contain his condition and he often spends as much as 21,000 Kshs per week. This cost is not inclusive of medication and other tests that are once in a while prescribed by his doctor.

 Kidney failure is incurable and the short term remedy or management is dialysis while the long term remedy is a transplant.  Getting a donor has been a challenge but the family continues to engage relatives. Getting funds for dialysis has also been quite a challenge but with the support of dedicated friends, he has been able to go for the sessions. The cost that will sustain the transplant and medication ranges from anything between 2.5 –3 Million Kenya shillings.

 Aside from the financial constrains considering every little saving the family had has been depleted on medical bills, he has experienced due to his condition; Kidney Failure has disabled him in all ways.

He is unable to perform any gainful economic generating activity as he spends two whole days and sometimes three in hospital for dialysis. His energy levels are extremely down and he requires a lot of support.

 But this situation can be changed with the help of the ever-generous Kenyan community.  We appeal to any well-wishers and friends to come to his rescue as Ken is a very energetic and productive person under normal circumstances.

 If you have any money to spare, however little, it will go a long way in restoring Ken’s body to its former glory.

Below is the pay bill number….

787851.