This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
Henry Mutinda King'ola, a 58-year-old Kenyan, made history in July when he became the first person to undergo a successful brain surgery at a Machakos hospital. The complex surgery, which lasted three hours, was performed by a team of doctors led by Sam Njiru.
According to his widow, Mary Mbinya, King'ola had improved significantly after the surgery, with his wounds healing and him able to walk and talk. However, he had complained of 'heaviness' and vomiting two months after the operation.
King'ola was initially admitted to the Machakos Level Five Hospital on July 12, where doctors noted that he had a history of frontal swelling and weakness of the right side of the body. An MRI scan revealed that he was suffering from frontal Glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumour.
He was advised to seek further review at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, where doctors from both hospitals would perform a craniotomy, a surgical removal of part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain.
Lead surgeon Sam Njiru and his team removed the brain tumour, and the surgery was hailed as a milestone achievement for Machakos level 5 and a testament to the Universal Health Coverage program.
King'ola's burial and funeral arrangements are currently underway at his home in Kisekini village, Machakos County.
