NAIROBI, Kenya – In a remarkable display of solidarity, Kenyans have raised over KSh 1 million within 24 hours to support a heartbroken grandfather from Gatundu who lost his grandson under tragic circumstances that he attributes to medical negligence.
The successful fundraising campaign was spearheaded by popular comedian and activist Eric Omondi, who made an emotional appeal to fellow Kenyans after a video of the elderly man’s confrontation with hospital staff went viral on social media.
James Muiruri, the 73-year-old grandfather at the center of the story, has been struggling with both grief and financial hardship following the death of his young grandson.
The child’s death occurred amid what Muiruri describes as systemic failures at Igegania Level 4 Hospital.
According to Muiruri’s account, his grandson was initially denied hospital admission due to lack of registration with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Even after the grandfather paid KSh 3,600 for registration, critical delays persisted due to ongoing doctors’ strikes and bureaucratic hurdles preventing ambulance dispatch without proper authorization.
The viral video that caught public attention showed the distraught grandfather confronting hospital staff, demanding answers about the circumstances that led to his grandson’s death.
Eric Omondi’s appeal struck a chord with Kenyans across the country.
Within hours of his initial call for support, donations began pouring in through his “Sisi Kwa Sisi” (We for Ourselves) initiative.
“Thank you, team sisi kwa sisi. We are at KSh 1 Million, thanking Kenyans for their quick and heartfelt response,” Omondi announced on social media, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support.
The comedian has committed to full transparency regarding the use of funds, stating that the money will go toward covering funeral expenses and providing basic support to help ease the grandfather’s daily burdens during this difficult time.
The tragedy has drawn attention to broader issues within Kenya’s healthcare system.
Igegania Level 4 Hospital is already under investigation by the Kiambu County government for a separate incident involving the death of an 11-year-old boy after staff failed to dispatch an ambulance.
Dr. Elias Maina, County Executive Committee Member for Health in Kiambu, has vowed accountability measures.
“We shall hold every employee accountable to make sure that we don’t have a repeat of this, either in this hospital or in any of our hospitals in the county,” he stated.
This fundraising success represents the latest in Eric Omondi’s ongoing humanitarian efforts.
The comedian has built a reputation for mobilizing public support for vulnerable Kenyans facing various challenges, from educational needs to basic survival.
The rapid response to Muiruri’s plight demonstrates the power of social media activism and Kenyans’ willingness to support fellow citizens in times of need.
However, it also highlights persistent gaps in the country’s healthcare and social safety net systems that continue to leave vulnerable populations at risk.
