This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
On November 12, 2019, tragedy struck in Rangwe Sub County, Homa Bay County, when Belinda Atieno, a 20-year-old Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidate, lost her battle to sickle cell anaemia.
Atieno, a student at Nyawita Secondary School, had been suffering from anemia for most of the year due to her sickle cell condition, according to the school principal, George Olueya.
Her condition worsened at the beginning of the term, causing her to be on and off in school. Despite her struggles, Atieno had been undertaking her exams since commencement, but on Tuesday morning, her condition deteriorated, and she was rushed to Nyawita dispensary for treatment where she also sat her papers.
She was later referred to Asumbi Mission Hospital, then back to Nyawita dispensary, and finally transferred to Matata Hospital for specialized treatment, where she succumbed to the disease upon arrival.
Confirming the incident, Rangwe Sub County Police Commander Jane Sang said that Atieno died upon arrival at Matata hospital for treatment. Her body has been moved to Matata Morgue awaiting post-mortem.
