Ms Leonora Adhiambo Otiende described her son Emmanuel Otieno’s final hours at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in March 2019, where he passed away after a 27-year battle with cancer. The 27-year-old, known as Jadudi, had been hospitalized since October 2018 and died at 9:30 pm on Monday night following years of unsuccessful brain tumor surgeries.
Speaking to the Nation in Kisumu, Adhiambo recounted falling asleep during a visit before being roused by a nurse to administer medication. Upon waking, she found her son unresponsive. "I prepared porridge and drugs, but he had already passed," she said, describing the moment she realized he was gone. Jadudi had been in a coma since February 2019.
Jadudi was diagnosed with cancer at age 22 in 2012 while studying at the University of Nairobi. His case gained national attention in 2012 through social media campaigns led by journalist Jackson Biko and Zawadi Nyong’o, daughter of former Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o. Kenyan supporters raised over Sh6 million in 2015 through the #1MilliForJadudi initiative to fund treatment in India.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s wife, Dorothy Nyong’o, praised Jadudi as a "real Shujaa" who inspired many with his perseverance. "He defied odds, surviving surgeries while maintaining a positive spirit that encouraged those around him," she said, crediting his mother’s care for his 27-year survival. The Africa Cancer Foundation assisted with fundraising during his treatment journey.
Jadudi’s body remains at JOOTRH as tributes continue. His mother described him as "a good boy, jovial and friendly to everybody," noting his impact on those who knew him.
