Journalist Nelson Musungu addresses the press in Bungoma town on Monday/IMAGE /HILTON OTENYOBungoma-based journalist Nelson Musungu has appealed to well-wishers, friends, colleagues in the media industry and the general public to help him raise the Sh3 million for a kidney transplant.
Musungu was diagnosed with kidney failure in March 2026 and has
since undergone treatment and medical assessments at several health facilities
in order to manage the condition.
The disease had taken a toll on his health and finances,
forcing him to seek assistance to facilitate his treatment.
Musungu said he had sought treatment at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, Bungoma County Referral Hospital, Bungoma West Sub-County Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret and Hopkins Referral Hospital.
He is depending on dialysis sessions,
which he undergoes twice a week at a facility in Bungoma town.
Musungu said although the Social Health Authority (SHA) helps settle the cost of his dialysis sessions, he still faces significant expenses arising from transport, medication and other treatment-related needs. Each dialysis session costs Sh10,650.
“This disease is a menace. It needs financial muscles. It is a disease that you cannot wish your enemy to suffer from,” he said.
He spoke to journalists at their home in Kimilili. The scribe has worked with several media outlets.
Musungu said his health had continued to
deteriorate, prompting doctors to recommend a kidney transplant, which he hopes
to undergo at MTRH in Eldoret on September 29, 2026, subject to completion of
the required medical procedures and donor compatibility assessments.
“Three million shillings is beyond what a single family can be able to raise. I am appealing to good-hearted colleagues in the media space, churches, politicians and friends to intervene so that I can raise this amount for a successful kidney transplant,” Musungu said.
“I am calling on churches and other well-wishers who are touched by my plea to come in and assist me.”
Musungu said he currently uses more than 10 types of medication as part of his treatment, adding that the disease had also left him battling anaemia and general body weakness.
“This condition also comes with some challenges like anaemia and general body weakness,” he said.
“Dialysis sessions are administered twice a week at a cost of Sh10,650 per visit, translating to Sh21,300, which SHA settles. But the most difficult part is transportation from one facility to the other and from my Kimilili home to these facilities,” he said.
Musungu said his family had identified two potential kidney donors as they sought to make the transplant possible.
He said the first potential donor, who was his brother, was found to be incompatible with him after undergoing the required medical tests.
“My brother was blood group B positive and I am blood group A positive, therefore the compatibility test could not add up,” he said.
The family has since identified another potential donor who is blood group A positive, with Musungu saying they are awaiting completion of further medical tests for compatibility.
“We have looked for another donor who is
blood A positive and we are hoping that the test will be through in due
course,” he said.
The family will hold a fundraising event at their home in Kimilili on September 26.
Those wishing to support Musungu can
send their contributions through M-Pesa number 0742371448.
