Experts rescue ailing siblings

Three of the four children who suffer from the rare ailment outside their home in Ciamburi, Mbeere South.PHOTO/CHARLES WANYORO  NATION

By NATION CORRESPONDENT
Posted  Friday, June 14   2013 at  20:51

Four siblings in Ciamburi village in Makima area of Mbeere South District, who were diagnosed with a rare skin ailment, have been evacuated to Kenyatta National Hospital.

The children, suffering from Xeroderma pigmentsum, a genetic ailment, will receive specialised treatment at the referral hospital after Judicial Service Commission promised to foot their bill.

A source close to the commission said the commissioners had donated about Sh1 million after the Nation published the plight of Lucy Wanja, 13, Simon Kariuki, 10, Kennedy Murimi, 7, and Johnson Mukundi, 4.

“The story touched the commission members especially the Supreme Court president Willy Mutunga. We will pay their bill at Kenyatta National Hospital,” a source, who did not wish to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, said.

Mbeere South District children officer Grace Nyawira said the children, together with their mother Marion Muthoni were picked by Siakago Principal Magistrate Gerald Mutiso at around 7 am.

Their father, Daniel Kinyua, said they had already received over Sh300,000 through M-Pesa while Equity Bank, Embu branch had opened an account for them.

At one time, well-wishers called the Nation after experiencing difficulties sending money via the phone after Ms Muthoni’s M-Pesa account reached its limit.

“We are grateful to Kenyans who have been calling us and donating money to us. We have regained hope,” she said.

A dermatologist at the Embu Provincial General Hospital Daniel Gichovi said two of the children urgently needed surgery to reduce the tumours.

He also recommended the children be given proper dressing and sunscreen creams to shield them from direct sunlight.

Two of the children have multiple skin tumours that have turned into deep, elongated wounds.

The family currently resides in a two-bedroomed mud house.

while the four children share a single bed.

Donations can be channeled through Embu Equity Bank Account number 0190199469057 Account