This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
Former bodybuilder Ronny Rono lies motionless in his bed at his aunt's house in Kericho, his life hanging in the balance due to a mysterious condition that has left him unable to work or care for his family.
Since June 2016, Rono has been relying on his aunt and cousins to feed, bathe, and clothe him after developing muscular atrophy and biceps pectoral muscles due to a suspected case of Synthol injection.
"The condition began with a small swelling in my right arm and when I went to a private hospital in Kericho town, I was just given painkillers and informed that I required surgery to remove the tumor," Rono said.
As the condition spread to his left hand in April 2017, Rono underwent a biopsy at the Kericho county hospital, but the doctors couldn't determine what he was suffering from.
"Ironically, I couldn't feel much pain but it reached an alarming level last year when the swelling reached my chest. I underwent biopsy at the Kericho county hospital but the doctors couldn’t determine what I am suffering from and yet the swelling and the numbness persisted and is now spreading to my neck," Rono said.
According to an MRI chest analysis conducted by Dr. W. Otieno, a radiologist at Lakeside MRI, Rono's pectoris muscles are grossly enlarged and show heterogeneous contrast.
Dr. Philemon Letting of Kericho Fig Tree hospital suspects that Rono's condition is a suspected case of Synthol injection, but Rono denies ever receiving the injection during his bodybuilding days at a gym in Nairobi.
"I don't have any recollection of receiving the Synthol injection. I was nonetheless drunk most of the time during my bodybuilding days and I don't have a memory of everything I might have done," Rono said.
With Rono's deteriorated health and loss of livelihood, his wife abandoned him, taking their five-year-old daughter with her.
"After I suffered the health complications, I had no option but to quit my job last year at Elimu Sacco where I worked as a junior employee at the registry. This means I couldn't afford to fend for my family and my wife abandoned me," Rono said.
His cousin, Hilda Chepkemoi, estimates that at least Sh3 million is required to restore Rono's shape through plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Well-wishers can come to Rono's aid by channeling their contribution to Paybill no 763424.
"I pray that I will get healed. Go back to work and be in a position to win back my family. I really miss my daughter,” Rono said.
