This archive report was first published on 13 January 2020.
At just 49 years old, Kenneth Kimeli's life was forever changed when he was diagnosed with cardiomegaly, a condition characterized by an abnormal enlargement of the heart, in 1997.
Doctors attributed his condition to years of drinking and smoking, habits that Kimeli had developed in his teenage years and continued well into adulthood.
Kimeli's journey began when he started smoking and drinking illicit brews in high school, a habit that progressively escalated into drug abuse. He was transferred to three different schools in an attempt to tame his behavior, but it wasn't until he left home after completing his KCSE that he continued his destructive habits.
Two years after leaving high school, Kimeli started experiencing fatigue, nausea, and profuse sweating, which led him to visit numerous health facilities. Despite receiving treatment, his condition worsened, and he was eventually diagnosed with heart disease at a hospital in Eldoret.
Doctors found that one of Kimeli's valves was destroyed, interfering with the flow of blood, and his heart was swollen, causing breathing difficulties. They attributed his condition to his years of smoking and drinking, a diagnosis that shocked Kimeli but ultimately served as a wake-up call.
With limited options available in Kenya at the time, Kimeli's family sold property and raised funds to take him to India for open-heart surgery in July 2002. The surgery was a success, and Kimeli was fitted with a sophisticated artificial valve, which has allowed him to lead a relatively normal life.
Today, Kimeli uses his experience to warn young people about the dangers of smoking and drinking, sharing his story with anyone who will listen. He has also spoken to numerous people in the Rift Valley who were scared of open-heart surgery, convincing them that there is life after surgery.
