Emmanuel Otieno, widely recognized by his stage name Jadudi, has died following a prolonged struggle with brain cancer, according to hospital officials.
The University of Nairobi alumnus gained national attention in 2015 after a blog titled "The Thing in Jadudi's Head" mobilized Kenyans to raise Sh6.4 million for his medical treatment. The funds enabled his 2015 surgery in Chennai, India, where he underwent a four-hour operation at Apollo Hospital to remove a Grade III Ependymoma tumor.
Jadudi had been battling cancer since 2012. He was admitted to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu in October 2018, where his mother, Leonora Adhiambo Ouma, confirmed he passed away at 9:30 pm on Monday.
The 2015 fundraising campaign surpassed its initial Sh1 million goal within 48 hours, highlighting widespread public support for the cancer patient. His condition had previously been spotlighted by writer Jackson Biko, who documented Jadudi's medical journey through his blog.
