Cancer warrior Jadudi dies, KOT praises his bravery

University of Nairobi student Emmanuel Otieno, better known as Jadudi, who Kenyans raised Sh6.4 million for brain surgery in India on September 2015 has died.

Jadudi passed away on Monday evening and had been ailing since 2012.

He shot into the limelight in 2015 after renowned writer Jackson Biko, highlighted his battle with a brain tumour that had seen him undergo several surgeries.

Biko’s blog post, The thing in Jadudi’s head, saw Kenyans raise over six million in less than two days for Jadudi’s medical bill, surpassing the initial target of Sh1 million.

Read also: Sh1m brain cancer appeal raises Sh6m

The money enabled Jadudi, who had Grade III Ependymoma fly to Chennai, India where he underwent four-hour brain surgery at Apollo Hospital.

Months after he underwent successful brain surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his brain, Jadudi, was diagnosed with another brain tumour in 2016.

Read: Jadudi diagnosed with second brain tumor months after successful operation

His death comes a year after Jadudi’s family and the Africa Cancer Foundation (AFC) appealed to the nation – that helped raise funds for his trips to India – to help clear an Sh1.2 million hospital bill, ferry him home and support his palliative care.

According to AFC managing director Dorothy Nyong’o the brain surgery was unsuccessful. The recurring condition and subsequent infections, as well as travel and special nutrition costs, pushed up the bill.

Kenyans on Twitter trooped to social media to pass on their condolences.

“May he Rest In Peace and his family be comforted. Bikozulu and Zawadi Nyongo May you be blessed for what you did for Jadudi,” Missy Jane Koigi said.

“You fought the fight. You finished the race. RIP Jadudi,” Romana Alfonse said.

“Fare thee well. You fought the fight with bravery,” Wendy Otieno tweeted.

“Janet Kanini & Jadudi Rest Easy Champions, your fight against cancer was that of resilience, perseverance and determination. R.I.P warriors,” Frank said.

“Rest Easy Champ Jadudi,”@SheikhMusa wrote.

“Oh no.... He's been on my mind. RIP warrior!” Kendy Yvonne said.

”Shine on bro. To me, you were a former classmate and brother. I remember you were even a prefect. You have battled Cancer for a very long time,” Ngoje Kim said.

He was a third-year Political Science and Sociology student at the University of Nairobi before he succumbed to cancer.

, On Feb 2017, Renowned human rights warrior Wangui Mbatia died at a Kericho hospital where she was being treated for cancer.

Wangui was an indefatigable and relentless civil rights campaigner, who engaged in many street battles for many struggles, ranging from the rising cost of living to greedy MPs awarding themselves lavish sendoff packages.

Over the years she was arrested and charged a dozen times, tossed in jail, teargassed and beaten by police in the streets of Nairobi.