Story by Sherine Atieno and photos by Ondari Ogega and Ian Obadha
Walking even a short distance had become a daily battle for 51-year-old George Otieno Odalo from Kobita, Okuto village in Seme. What was once a simple routine of moving from one point to another slowly turned into a painful, draining ordeal. At times, a 30-minute walk stretched into two hours. He often paused mid-journey to gather strength, the sharp, unpredictable pain shooting from his legs to his waist forcing him to stop in his tracks.
This debilitating journey began on the morning of Jamhuri Day in 2022. He woke up feeling an unusual heaviness in his feet, as though something was squeezing the back of his knee. His right leg was the most affected; he couldn’t straighten it and had to cancel a meeting he was supposed to attend. From that day, tingling sensations and a deep, nerve-like pain became constant companions.
In the months that followed, the condition worsened, spreading to his waist and eventually affecting both legs. The pain felt like it ran through his veins. Believing it might be spiritual or caused by witchcraft, as some people advised, he spent significant amounts of money seeking help from herbalists. But nothing changed.
It wasn’t until an X-ray in Bondo revealed abnormalities resembling arthritis and compressed nerves that he finally understood the medical nature of his illness. Despite receiving pain medication, nothing eased his symptoms. Guided by a nurse who reviewed his second X-ray, he was advised to get an MRI, an expense he couldn’t manage on his own.
Determined to find answers, Mr. Odalo enrolled in Social Health Authority (SHA), confidently trusting it would support his treatment plan. After paying his annual contribution of Ksh 7,200, SHA covered the Ksh 12,000 MRI at JOOTRH. The MRI results confirmed disc dislocation compressing his nerves. When he returned with the results, the doctor informed him of an upcoming neurosurgical camp by visiting specialists from Europe. He was booked immediately.
Encouraged by his relative, who had seen many patients regain independence through such camps, he agreed to undergo surgery. Yesterday, he was taken to theatre, and the procedure was successful. Today, he reports feeling much better, aside from normal post-operation pain, already noticing a change in how his body responds.
He has now been placed on pain-relief medication, physiotherapy, and advised to adopt healthier eating habits and reduce salt intake.
Mr. Odalo is among the beneficiaries of the ongoing neurosurgical camp at JOOTRH, conducted in partnership with the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative. This intervention is restoring mobility and hope to patients and families.
