As the Roman Catholic and Anglican Church of Kenya return millions in political donations, one teacher in Siaya wishes the funds could have been used to save her life.

Mary Cynthia Akoth, a 29-year-old teacher at Ambrose Adeya Adongo Secondary School in Alego Usonga, is in desperate need of over Ksh 8 million to cover medical and travel expenses for a lung transplant in India.

Speaking from her home in Kalulu Estate, Siaya town, Akoth, who suffers from Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension, revealed that her condition started in 2017 as a persistent cough.

Despite years of treatment, her health deteriorated, forcing her to rely on 24-hour oxygen support.

“I am looking for money in order to stay alive. I need the transplant to take care of my children. That’s why I wished the churches could have redirected the funds to help people like me,” she said.

Medical experts in Eldoret and Nairobi have advised that a lung transplant is her only hope. However, the procedure is unavailable locally, making India her only option.

The high costs of medication, coupled with daily oxygen needs, have left her and her family financially drained.

“I spend over Ksh 1,200 daily on medication. My insurance, AON, covers some expenses, but it’s not enough. SHIF, like NHIF before it, only caters for hospital beds and does not support critical treatments like mine,” she explained.

Her mother, Claris Atieno Oriedi, has made a heartfelt appeal to well-wishers, saying the family has been left destitute by her daughter’s condition.

Those willing to assist can send contributions to:
📌 Mary Cynthia Akoth Ochieng – 0710104416
📌 Claris Atieno Oriedi – 0727455063