More than a decade of suffering. A national appeal. KSh 2.4 million raised. A successful life-changing surgery. A journey towards restored dignity and independence.
For more than ten years, Samwel Wakukha Akuyi endured a medical condition that profoundly affected his health, dignity and quality of life. What began as an unusual swelling gradually developed into an enormous growth in his private area, making ordinary activities increasingly difficult and exposing him to physical pain, emotional distress and social stigma.
Behind the condition was a man struggling to live a normal life, a family searching desperately for answers and a future that seemed increasingly uncertain.
Today, Samwel’s story stands as a powerful reminder of what compassion, collective action and responsible charitable giving can achieve.
Through the intervention of Wema Charity Foundation and the generosity of well-wishers, Samwel accessed medical care, underwent successful surgery and began a new chapter of recovery and rebuilding his life.
This is not merely a story about raising money. It is a story about restoring hope, protecting human dignity and giving someone another opportunity to live.
A DECADE OF PAIN, UNCERTAINTY AND SEARCHING FOR HELP
For years, Samwel lived with an increasingly debilitating condition that affected his movement, daily activities and general wellbeing. As the abnormal growth continued to enlarge, his ability to perform ordinary tasks became severely limited.
The physical burden was accompanied by emotional and social challenges. Living with such a visible and unusual medical condition exposed him to stigma, unwanted attention and the psychological strain of navigating everyday life under extraordinary circumstances.
Despite seeking medical attention, finding a lasting solution was not easy. The complexity of his condition, the cost of investigations and treatment, and the challenges of accessing specialised medical care prolonged his suffering.
For Samwel and his family, every passing year brought more uncertainty.
WHEN HIS STORY REACHED THE NATION
Samwel’s condition eventually attracted national attention through Citizen TV’s Shajara na Lulu, presented by Lulu Hassan.
In May 2026, Citizen TV featured his story in a series of reports that brought his difficult circumstances into the homes of millions of Kenyans.
The coverage helped the public understand the severity of his condition and the human struggle behind the medical challenge. It also created an opportunity for people of goodwill to recognise that Samwel needed more than sympathy; he needed practical assistance and access to specialised treatment.
His story resonated beyond his immediate community. It became a national conversation about compassion, healthcare access and the importance of standing with people facing life-changing medical challenges.
For Wema Charity Foundation, this was an opportunity to turn public concern into meaningful intervention.
WEMA CHARITY FOUNDATION: TURNING COMPASSION INTO ACTION
At Wema Charity Foundation, we believe that charity must be measured not only by the resources mobilised but also by the lives transformed.
Recognising the urgency of Samwel’s situation, Dan Wema and the Foundation mobilised resources and rallied well-wishers to support his medical journey.
The response was encouraging. Through collective generosity, approximately KSh 2.4 million was raised to facilitate his medical investigations, treatment, hospital care, transport, accommodation and other essential support.
This was a significant undertaking. The journey involved multiple medical assessments, hospital admissions, treatment decisions and substantial financial commitments.
It was not a simple or straightforward process. There were setbacks, difficult moments and the need to seek further medical attention when the initial intervention did not deliver the desired outcome.
Nevertheless, the commitment to helping Samwel access appropriate treatment remained firm.
The Foundation is deeply grateful to every individual, family, organisation and well-wisher who contributed, shared his appeal or offered encouragement. Every contribution helped move his story closer to a turning point.
THE MEDICAL JOURNEY: FROM FAILED INTERVENTION TO SUCCESSFUL SURGERY
Samwel’s treatment journey involved investigations and medical interventions at different healthcare facilities.
Initial investigations, including MRI scans, CT scans and ultrasound examinations, were necessary to establish the nature and extent of the condition and guide decisions on treatment.
His first hospital intervention, despite the considerable financial resources committed, did not achieve the desired outcome.
The search for a lasting solution continued.
His journey eventually led him to Rapha Hospital in Eldoret, where he received further medical attention and underwent a complex surgical procedure.
According to media reports, his condition was associated with lymphatic filariasis, and the abnormal growth had reached an extraordinary size. The removed tissue was reported to weigh approximately 30 kilogrammes.
The successful operation marked a major turning point in his life.
After more than a decade of suffering, Samwel finally had an opportunity to begin recovery and reclaim aspects of life that had become difficult or impossible.
His medical journey was subsequently revisited by Citizen TV in July 2026, with the follow-up highlighting the developments following his treatment.
For his family, the successful surgery represented immense relief. For everyone who had supported the intervention, it was a powerful reminder that collective generosity can produce tangible, life-changing outcomes.
FOLLOWING THE MONEY: HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS MADE A DIFFERENCE
At Wema Charity Foundation, we understand that every donation represents trust. People give because they believe their contributions will make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
We therefore consider financial transparency an essential part of our responsibility to beneficiaries and supporters.
Through the generosity of well-wishers, approximately KSh 2,400,000 was raised towards Samwel’s intervention and related support.
The expenditure was distributed as follows:
| Expenditure item | Amount (KSh) |
|---|---|
| MRI, CT scans and ultrasound investigations | 37,000 |
| Transport, meals and accommodation | 51,000 |
| Initial hospital expenses and unsuccessful surgical intervention at the first hospital | 470,000 |
| Medical expenses, further treatment and successful surgery at the second hospital | 1,400,000 |
| Construction of a new family house (ongoing) | 225,000 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 2,183,000 |
Financial Summary
| Description | Amount (KSh) |
|---|---|
| Total funds raised | 2,400,000 |
| Total expenditure | 2,183,000 |
| Remaining balance | 217,000 |
The expenditure figures above reflect the itemised costs recorded for the intervention. The remaining balance of KSh 217,000 is calculated from the total funds raised less the itemised expenditure.
The Foundation remains committed to accounting for the utilisation of these funds and providing updates on outstanding commitments and the next stages of support.
This is what transparency means to us: showing not only what was raised, but also how the resources contributed to changing a life.
BEYOND THE OPERATION: REBUILDING A HOME AND A FUTURE
At Wema Charity Foundation, we recognise that successful medical treatment is an important milestone, but it is not always the end of a person’s journey towards a better life.
Samwel and his family still have important needs that require attention.
One of the major interventions undertaken alongside his medical journey is the construction of a new family house. With KSh 225,000 already committed to the project, construction has progressed to the finishing stage.
Completing this house will provide the family with a more secure and dignified living environment.
Another aspiration is to support Samwel with a motorbike that could help him establish an income-generating activity. This would be an important step towards economic independence and the ability to support his family.
Our vision is to see Samwel move beyond being a recipient of medical assistance and become a person with renewed opportunities, greater independence and a more secure future.
We believe that meaningful charity should not end when the immediate crisis is resolved. It should also consider what happens next.
A JOURNEY THAT REMINDS US WHY WE GIVE
Samwel’s experience demonstrates the power of people coming together for a common purpose.
A man who had endured more than a decade of suffering received an opportunity for specialised medical treatment. A family that had lived with uncertainty began to see hope. Well-wishers who contributed towards his intervention witnessed how their generosity could translate into real change.
We acknowledge the medical professionals who participated in his treatment, the media platforms that helped bring his story to national attention, and every person who played a role in making the intervention possible.
We particularly appreciate Citizen TV and the Shajara na Lulu team for documenting his story and helping the public understand the challenges he faced.
Most importantly, we celebrate Samwel’s courage throughout a difficult journey.
His story reminds us that behind every appeal is a human being deserving of compassion, respect and dignity.
At Wema Charity Foundation, our commitment remains to turn generosity into meaningful impact, ensure responsible use of resources and stand with people whose circumstances require collective support.
We do not just raise funds. We restore hope, protect dignity and help rebuild lives.
Samwel’s journey is proof that when compassion meets action, lives can change.
And his story is still being written.
AS FEATURED IN THE MEDIA
Samwel’s journey received national coverage through Citizen TV’s Shajara na Lulu, presented by Lulu Hassan.
Citizen TV – May 2026
Citizen TV – July 2026
The Standard – 20 July 2026
Read: Man’s battle with scrotum that swell up to 30 kilogrammes
Wema Charity Foundation — WHERE YOUR GIVING GOES.
Discover the lives you have touched. See the difference you have made. Follow every contribution.
How the funds were used
Figures are based on the information published for this intervention. Please consult supporting reports where provided.