A parent's love knows no bounds. This is what 67-year-old Steven Kimani has shown after he opted for his son Zacchaeus Kiarie ,43, to undergo a kidney transplant in his place.

The two were diagnosed with kidney failure and acute kidney failure respectively.

When Mtaa Wangu visited Kiarie’s home, we met Mr Kimani resting in the living room. He had just come back from his Dialysis at Mediheal hospital where he goes for his sessions twice a week.

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According to Mr Kimani, his problems started back in 2005 when he was diagnosed with diabetes. He says for the first time in his life, he was admitted to hospital because of the condition.

Steven Kimani at his home in Pipeline estate during an interview.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“I continued to take the medicine but three years ago my condition worsened. It was when I visited my doctor that I learnt I had kidney failure,” he recalls.

Mr Kimani says that the news took a toll on him, especially getting such information at his old age.

He however notes that his family was there for him especially Kiarie who took it upon himself to ensure he got the best treatment and catered for his dialysis treatment alongside his siblings

17 years later in September 2022, his family was struck again with a medical disaster.

This time round Kiarie was diagnosed with acute kidney failure which required him to get a kidney transplant.

“I learnt of my condition when working in Murang’a, prompting me to come back home and start treatment,” Kiarie sadly reveals.

With this new information, Kiarie was now forced to cater for his father’s and his own dialysis, something he admits has wringed his pockets dry. Each dialysis session costs Sh 9,600.

Mr Kimani interjects, “Ours has been a journey of father and son going for dialysis together, something that has drained us financially. In the course of treatment our doctor, Dr Omari, suggested we should get Kidney transplants. Because of financial constraints, this is something I told the doctor I was not going to do.”

He says at his age he told the doctor that he does not need a transplant since he is old. He did not see the need for it.

“I scolded the doctor asking him if he was preparing me to die. I asked him if he has ever seen anyone of my age doing a transplant. The doctor told me that dozens of people my age go through it successfully but I told him let us channel our focus to my son,” he says in a firm voice.

On top of the dialysis burden, Kiarie also has to take care of his autistic son who needs special care which mostly comes attached with a financial cost.

“My grandson has autism. We need Kiarie to get better so that he can provide for him and his family. For my case, I know I have fulfilled my purpose in life,” Kimani says looking at his son.

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As the primary caregiver in the household, Kiarie’s wife, Purity Nduta admits that it has been an uphill task.

Purity Nduta, Kiarie's wife at their home in Pipeline during an interview.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“Watching my husband, father-in -law and my son in this condition drains me emotionally,” she says fighting back tears.

Nduta adds that the family held a fundraiser in 2018 to take her son to India after he developed a brain problem and may now be required to hold another for Kiarie’s kidney transplant.

“We have been spending a lot of money seeking treatment. I feel like I have been left at the mercy of friends and well-wishers,” she says.

The family got five volunteers to be Kiarie’s kidney donors among them being Kiarie's brother and nephew.

“We need Sh 3.6 million for Kiarie to receive the kidney transplant at St Luke hospital in Eldoret,” Kimani notes.

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His appeal is that well-wishers can come in and help the family raise that money.

“Kiarie is still young. The surgery will give him an opportunity to go back to work and take care of his family.”

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Father opts for son to get kidney transplant instead of him

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