12-year pain for boy who cannot relieve himself

Hopekin Kwakha, left, hopes to undergo surgeries to correct urinary and faecal tracks. [File, Standard]

"I had to stay in the hospital while relying on my husband, Patrick Shikuku, to bring me food since the hospital only fed my son," said Mrs Shikuku.

One day, her husband failed to show up as usual and could not be reached on phone.

"I later found out that my husband had been knocked down near the hospital by a speeding car. Things were tough as the three of us were in the hospital and our seven children at home alone" she said.

"The bill increased to Sh500,000. We sold household goods but we couldn't raise the amount, but luckily the bill was waived by the hospital after six months."

Mr Shikuku suffered multiple fractures and is yet to recover fully. He says his NHIF account is dormant over nonpayment of monthly subscription.

Back at home, the Grade Four pupil is struggling to live a normal life.

To ensure he went back to school, they dress him with adult diapers that cost Sh600 daily, says the father.

Teachers at the Muhunzulu Primary School have also raised funds to help the family cope.

Two weeks ago, the school head teacher, Casper Mumia, took the family for checkup at KNH.

"He needs to undergo two surgeries; one to repair the bladder so that he urinates through the right way and the second one to open his anus. The pupil is very bright and if he can be helped, we would secure a better future for him," said Mr Mumia.