1. We hear you are a hero of sorts in some circles...
Not really. I have always been passionate about empowerment and social development. I grew upcountry at a place called Kiangwaci in Kirinyaga County. We walked long distances to school, fetched water to pour on the floor to eliminate jiggers, and swam in the river on our way from school. I gained important virtues such as hard work and determination. I went to Kiine Primary School and later joined Elburgon Secondary School in Rift Valley. After Form Four, I joined the Academy Graphic Technologies and studied graphic design.
Take responsibility for your dreams and make them a reality. There is no reason why your dreams can’t work. Be consistent, determined, focused and action-oriented. Action is more important than mere intention to do something.
2. We all have to start somewhere. What was your inspiration?
My mum was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure while I was in high school. For five years, she fought to live. My family and friends supported her financially and morally.
We had many challenges accessing information and having to move from hospital to hospital seeking better services. Eventually, I saw a gap and became passionate to fill it.
After three years of watching mum struggle with kidney failure, I planned a walk with ten of my friends. We covered 1,200 kilometers and this helped us raise awareness about the disease.
From then on, I gained more visibility and became more alive to similar struggles other families and patients were going through. A passion to start a foundation flickered through my mind. When my mum passed on in 2009, we started the Happy Kidney Foundation (HAKI) with other Kenyans of goodwill.
3. Phew...that’s quite a story. So what does HAKI do?
We create awareness by offering training on kidney disease and other chronic ailments. We also offer information to poor families who do not have access to medical services. We empower them on prevention and improved quality of life so that they can take charge of their health.
4. It all sounds so easy...is it?
We have challenges. Initially, the biggest was selling my vision to those around me. It was not easy to convince people that this idea would be sustainable since it was not for profit. Traditionally, such issues had little funding. Those close to my family felt like this was just another project to demand for their finances since they had been there supporting my mum and in the cause of time, they had become exhausted.
5. Did organizations take you more seriously?
Because I was also young and inexperienced, most people thought I was reacting to the situations around me. They could see my vision but they doubted if I knew what I was about to engage in. Some of the practitioners in my field were skeptical about our efforts because they said some had tried before us and failed.
6. What about the patients?
Because the needs of our patients and their families are significant especially financial constraints, sometimes some of them have expectations that are beyond our scope. It’s very emotional having to tell someone you don’t have the capacity to help while they have high hopes. This remains the biggest challenge.
7. How do you overcome them?
Overall, challenges are good. We learn from them and they keep us pressing on. In the heat of challenges, new ideas are born and that has always been the case.
8. Are you married?
Yes. I am married to one lovely wife.
9. Say something we can pin on our walls...
If you have a dream and you are persuaded you want to work on it, then don’t allow any obstacle to stop you. The biggest barrier in the world is yourself. If others says it can’t be done and you believe you can do it and then you do it, then nobody can resist results. Take responsibility for your dreams and make them a reality. There is no reason why your dreams can’t work. Be consistent, determined, focused and action-oriented. Action is more important than mere intention to do something.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/evewoman/article/2000154753