Cancer warrior Jadudi dies after years of brave fight

Cancer warrior Jadudi, real name Emmanuel Otieno, died at a Kisumu County hospital on Monday night after years of unsuccessful surgeries to remove a tumour from his head.

Mr Jadudi hailed from Dudi Village in Oyugis, Homa Bay County, was 27 years old and attended the University of Nairobi.

His mother, Leonora Adhiambo Ouma, said he died at about 9.30pm at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he was admitted in October 2018.

EULOGIES

Ms Adhiambo told the Nation that Mr Jadudi had been in a coma since February.

She said she had prepared porridge for her son and that she was also to give him his medicine on the night that he died.

“I was with my son here throughout. I slept for a little while and was woken up by a nurse to give him drugs. When I tapped him he did not respond. That is when I realised he had left us,” she said.

She added, "He was a good and jovial boy who was friendly with everybody. That is why he had many friends."

Mr Jadudi's friends, especially those who studied with him at Arya Primary School in Kisumu, eulogised him as brave, a hero and a mentor, given his brave fight against the disease.

“Jadudi was a brave warrior who fought till the end. Will forever miss him,” said Miya Beth.

PUBLIC'S HELP

The university student was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, a finding that came after the pain killers he took for headaches did not work.

Since that year, his family took the difficult journey with him, borrowing loans and seeking help from the public.

After three surgeries, Mr Jadudi sought help from the Africa Cancer Foundation, whose Chief Executive Officer is Kisumu Governor Nyong’o’s daughter Zawadi Nyong'o.

Writer Jackson Biko, who blogged about his journey, consequently launched an online funds drive, via hash tag #1MilliForJadudi, which saw Kenyans raise Sh6.4 million in just 48 hours, surpassing the initial target of Sh1 million.

Members of the public continued sending money for his treatment.

'REAL SHUJAA'

In their condolence message to the family, Governor Nyong'o and his wife Dorothy described Mr Jadudi as a real 'shujaa'.

Mrs Nyong’o further noted his steadfast fight to live and that he never gave up hope.

She added that he defied all odds, surviving several brain surgeries while maintaining a positive attitude that encouraged those around him to keep fighting for him and with him.

“Jadudi touched so many lives with his courage and positive spirit. His warm smile and encouraging words, his determination and enthusiasm will forever be missed. May God rest his soul in eternal peace and comfort his family. Rest in peace, 'shujaa' of Kisumu, 'shujaa' of Kenya, 'shujaa' of cancer!” she said.

Regarding Mrs Adhiambo, she added, “What a caregiver. Jadudi lived this long because of his mother's love and unwavering support."

Mr Jadudi's body was taken to the morgue at the Jaramogi hospital.