- For seven years, he has been tethered to the dialysis machine, a symbol of both defiance and hope in the face of overwhelming odds.
- Ahmed's odyssey began with a diagnosis that shattered his world—both his kidneys were irreparably damaged.
In the bustling corridors of Wajir County Referral Hospital, amidst the ebb and flow of patients battling renal failure, one man stands out: Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed.
For seven years, he has been tethered to the dialysis machine, a symbol of both defiance and hope in the face of overwhelming odds.
Ahmed's odyssey began with a diagnosis that shattered his world—both his kidneys were irreparably damaged.
As an enforcement officer in Wajir County, providing for his family on a modest income, the news struck him like a thunderbolt.
Yet, amidst the wreckage of his dreams, Ahmed refused to surrender to despair.
"I am the father of two boys, the pillar of my family," Ahmed recounts, his voice tinged with resilience.
"Despite the daunting cost of a kidney transplant, my resolve to fight for survival remained unwavering."
With the unwavering support of his extended family and the generosity of strangers, Ahmed embarked on a journey fraught with uncertainty.
From Nairobi to Eldoret, he sought medical opinions and potential donors, determined to reclaim his health and reunite with his loved ones.
However, the elusive match for a transplant remained beyond his grasp, casting a shadow over his hopes.
As the years passed, Ahmed's battle took its toll on his health, his finances, and his relationships.
The relentless cycle of dialysis sessions became his daily ritual, with each session a painful reminder of his fragile existence.
Yet, amidst the agony, Ahmed's spirit remained unbroken.
"Every week, I endure the agony of dialysis, but I refuse to succumb to despair," Ahmed declares, his eyes reflecting both pain and defiance.
"I pray for all those enduring similar struggles, hoping they find solace in the promise of a transplant."
Despite the physical torment, Ahmed's dreams persist: of sleeping on a mattress without pain, of seeking treatment for his aching joints, of finding a willing donor among his siblings.
In his quest for survival, he turns to his elected representatives, imploring them to champion his cause and provide him with a lifeline—that's Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Senator Abass Shiekh, Women MP Fatuma Jehow, and also appreciates his area MP Aden Keynan, who he said donated in his first fund drive.
He said he has a dream to fight radicalization and drug abuse in north-eastern Kenya, terming it a ticking bomb.
"Youth have to understand that life is precious to waste. My message is for them to take heed because we don't have a spare life. It's one chance and one goal," Ahmed said.
Even when Ahmed looks to be out of options, he says he is grateful to God and hopeful that the next day or the next table will turn in his favour.