Hanoi: For 13 years, Thomas Moracha, a boda boda rider from Bomachoge Chache Constituency in Kisii County, lived with a severe fracture in his left upper arm, the result of a road accident in 2013. At Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital, he sits quietly on a corner bed, smiling as we approach. A spot check in the ward reveals similar scenes throughout: men and women with arms or legs strapped in bandages, each carrying their own long-delayed story of recovery.
According to Kenya News Agency, Moracha endured pain and uncertainty for years as efforts to restore his fractured arm to its normal position bore no fruit. During the first year of treatment at a local health facility, X-rays showed he was recovering well, even though he could not fully resume his normal duties. As the sole breadwinner of his household, he went back to work after a year anyway, doing what he could to provide for his wife and children.
He relied on painkillers to suppress the pain until last year when he heard of the Mairura Family Foundation. He rushed from Mombasa, where he was living at the time, to Kisii but arrived a day too late. This year, Moracha was determined not to miss the opportunity again. He arrived at the hospital early on August 3rd, prepared with X-rays, and was among the first beneficiaries to receive free surgery on August 5th, courtesy of the Foundation.
Next to Moracha’s bed lies a 16-year-old boy in grade 10, all smiles as he lifts his bandaged left hand. His mother recounts the severe burns he sustained as a toddler, leading to fused fingers. Now, thanks to the surgery, his hand has been released. Nearby is Jane Moraa, a widow from Nyamira County who suffered from a broken hip for four years due to the unaffordable cost of surgery. The Foundation covered all costs for her hip replacement, allowing her to look forward to resuming her daily life.
Mairura Family Foundation’s lead orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Edward Mairura, expressed that testimonials like Moracha’s drive his team during the intense five-day orthopedic medical camp. This year marked the first time his team performed a wide range of orthopedic procedures at the facility, including multiple hip and knee replacements. Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital CEO Duncan Mosioma highlighted the camp’s focus on arthritis and trauma cases that require surgical intervention.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke commended the Mairura Family Foundation and Nyanchwa Adventist Mission Hospital for their partnership in providing free specialized orthopedic care in Kisii County. He acknowledged the value of partnerships in expanding access to quality healthcare and encouraged Kisii residents to register for SHA, which helped cover costs for many camp beneficiaries.
The week-long medical outreach recorded nearly 2,500 medical consultations, 400 outpatient treatments, and nearly 40 free orthopedic surgeries. The Foundation has run orthopedic surgical missions in Kenya since 2024, bringing together American surgeons, technical teams, and support staff. Beyond the surgical camps, the Foundation has donated significant medical equipment and supplies to Kenyan facilities, demonstrating a long-term commitment to improving healthcare in the region.
