Ms Leonora Adhiambo Otiende, Jadudi’s mother
The mother of renowned cancer warrior Emmanuel Otieno, popularly known as Jadudi, has narrated her final moments with her son.
Jadudi died at 9.30pm on Monday night following years of unsuccessful surgeries to remove a cancerous tumor in his head.
Speaking to the Nation in Kisumu, his mother Ms Leonora Adhiambo Otiende said Jadudi died at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) where he had been admitted since October last year.
“I have been with my son here throughout and I just fell asleep ‘kidogo tu’ and then I was woken up by a nurse to give him drugs. But when I tapped him he did not respond. That is when I realized he has left us,” said Ms Adhiambo.
The mother indicated that she had even prepared for him porridge and drugs but her son had breathed his last.
Ms Adhiambo said Jadudi has been in a coma since February until Monday night when he died aged 27 years. He was diagnosed with cancer at 22 years while a student at the University of Nairobi.
Since 2012 the family has been through rough time with their son, trying to get ways of taking the heavy burden of cancer from him. From borrowing loans and seeking help from the public, it has not been easy for the family.
It has been three and a half years since Jadudi’s plight came to the limelight thanks to Jackson Biko Business Daily writer, and Governor Nyong’o’s daughter Zawadi Nyong’o, through a social media campaign.
Kenyans have always stood with him during the time he was ill. In 2015, generous Kenyans raised at least Sh6 million to help him get medication in India, a campaign dubbed #1MilliForJadudi.
“He was a good boy, jovial and friendly to everybody and that is why he had many friends,” said Ms Adhiambo.