The Waruku free medical camp took place last Saturday 27th October 2007 at the Salvation Army Church on Musa Gitau road, Lavington. The event brought together medical personnel from the Lions Sight First Eye Hospital, University of Nairobi School of dental sciences, Diabetes Management Institute (DMI) and the Kenya Society for Deaf Children. Our team of 27 volunteers was able to register over 1500 patients from Waruku, Kangemi and even Kawangware. This day was a culmination of five months of serious planning and lots of co-ordination between the different participating institutions, the organizing committee and myself. As I walked among the patients, observing dedicated medical personnel at work; I couldn’t help but marvel at what could be achieved with resolute determination.
I frequently stopped to chat to the women, men and children, patiently waiting for their turn to be attended. Their encouraging remarks and appreciation for the community initiative completely validated all the stress we had gone through, especially in the last few days prior to the camp.
Over 30 people were diagnosed with diabetes and were provided with free insulin to last them several months. A similar number were referred to the Lions Eye Hospital in Loresho for further examination that may lead to surgery, at no cost. Over 300 dental extractions were conducted during the course of the day, bringing much needed relief to many people.
Mr. Muli, a 62 year-old man from Waruku told me in Swahili, “My son, you’ve done very well. The toothache I’ve nursed for the last few months is now gone. God will bless you.”
One lady wondered aloud why I was going for a civic seat instead of aspiring to be an MP. “Even the MPs have never done this for us,” was her emphatic statement. “Mama, huwezi kupanda mti ukianzia juu. Lazima uanze chini, kwenye mizizi,” I responded with a smile.
These sentiments reflected what had come to be accepted as gospel truth by the people of Waruku and indeed many other residents of Nairobi; that Councillors do not serve the people who elected them into office and that they were not expected to do so. So it was quite a pleasant shock for Waruku people when I came along and did two major projects within a short time, when other aspirants were doing absolutely nothing but the usual theatrics.
The feedback from the ground continues to encourage me to soldier on with the campaign. Voters are now using my name as a benchmark for all other civic aspirants in Kileleshwa. I’m happy that I’ve managed to achieve my primary objective in this civic race – to raise the bar high for aspiring City Councillors. The beneficiaries of this scenario will ultimately be the residents of Kileleshwa Ward who deserve much better than they’ve been getting.
My deepest gratitude goes out to all the volunteers from Waruku and elsewhere who made the day a success. Many thanks to my friends who put in their time and resources to making this dream a reality for the people of Waruku, Kileleshwa Ward. And finally, a big thank you to my lovely wife, for believing in this initiative even when the going got unbearably tough.
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Dancan Muhindi – Uongozi ni vitendo
- Professionals for City hall initiative -
Cellphone : 0722 781042, Email: dmuhindi@gmail.com
