In a heartwarming story of resilience, compassion, and medical excellence, Malachi Moseti, a matatu driver from Kisii County, is on a remarkable journey of recovery after being left physically incapacitated by a tragic road accident in October 2023.
What began as a routine workday turned into a nightmare when Moseti was involved in a serious accident. He was rushed to a hospital in Kisii County, where he was admitted and stayed for two months. During that time, his condition deteriorated rapidly — his nerves had been severely damaged, rendering him unable to walk, move his hands, or even feed himself.
“I could not do anything for myself. My hands were stiff, I could not bend or fold them, and I depended entirely on others to survive. It was the most painful and helpless moment of my life,” Moseti recalls.
After being discharged to recover at home, Moseti continued to take prescribed medication, but his condition worsened. “Even eating became a struggle. I felt like I was slowly fading away. I had almost lost all hope,” he said.
At that point, he was surviving on minimal government support through the KSh 2,000 Social Protection Program, and the only caregiver he had was his 75-year-old mother — herself elderly and unwell — who bathed him, fed him, and searched for food daily. With no children or wife (he lost his wife to illness some years back), Moseti had no one else to turn to.
It wasn’t until he sought help from a private facility in Kisii that a doctor recommended he see a neurosurgeon. With the help of good Samaritans who fundraised for his travel, Moseti made his way to Eldoret to seek care at Tophill Hospital, a specialist center known for advanced neurosurgical procedures.
There, he met Dr. Florentius Koech, a renowned neurosurgeon and the CEO of Tophill Hospital. Moseti’s case deeply moved Dr. Koech, who immediately took steps to investigate his condition more thoroughly.
“When he came to us, he could not move his arms. His hands were stiff, and he had lost all upper limb function,” said Dr. Koech. “He told us about the accident and the decline of his health over the past several months. He was in a desperate state and fully dependent on his elderly mother. It was a very sad and challenging situation.”
Dr. Koech ordered a fresh MRI scan, which revealed a compression in Moseti’s spinal cord — a condition that was left untreated and worsened over time. “The spinal cord was under pressure, and that was the root of all the neurological symptoms he was experiencing. We knew immediate surgery was necessary.”
But there was a hurdle — Moseti had no money to pay for the surgery. Dr. Koech didn’t let that stop the life-saving treatment. He personally helped Moseti apply for support under the Social Health Authority (SHA) program. The application was approved, and that very night, Moseti was wheeled into surgery.
“We did a spinal decompression surgery to relieve the pressure on his spine. Almost immediately after the operation, he began regaining movement in his hands. He could hold a cup, lift his arms — something he hadn’t done in months,” said Dr. Koech.
The transformation was nothing short of miraculous. After months of suffering and near-total dependence, Moseti is now on a steady path to recovery. “Today, I can move. I can eat. I can hold a spoon and feed myself. I can see my life coming back,” Moseti said with visible emotion.
He added, “I saw God in that hospital. I walked in there hopeless and with no money, but Dr. Koech and the staff treated me with love and care. I can never repay them. I pray that God blesses Dr. Koech, his family, and the entire Tophill team.”
Dr. Koech emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare and why cases like Moseti’s show the critical role of social health coverage. “No one should suffer or die because they lack money. Moseti’s case is a reminder that with the right systems in place and a heart to help, lives can be changed.”
Tophill Hospital has since discharged Moseti, and he is continuing his recovery from home with follow-up care and medication. Dr. Koech said he’s confident that with time, Moseti will regain full independence.
“Now, he can go back to his community, live with dignity, and hopefully return to helping his family and society.”
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