Kenyan Patient Left Stranded in India Following Suspended Liver Surgery

A Bungoma County employee remains stranded in India after a planned liver transplant was suspended when her family failed to raise the required hospital deposit.

Kate Nabutola travelled to India with her sister and a potential donor after treatment efforts in Kenya reportedly showed little progress. Her family said the trip was financed through contributions from friends, colleagues, and members of the public who responded to fundraising appeals.

According to the family, they travelled with the understanding that hospital payments would be made in stages as more funds were raised. However, after doctors declared Kate ready for surgery, the hospital reportedly demanded an immediate payment of about KSh 3.5 million before the transplant could proceed.

The family said they were unable to secure the amount, forcing them to suspend the procedure and arrange for Kate to return to Kenya while they sought further financial support. That plan also failed after her condition reportedly worsened during the journey to the airport.

Her sister, Linet Nabutola, said Kate was extremely weak, vomiting, and dependent on a wheelchair during the trip. Upon arrival at the airport, airline officials allegedly refused to allow her to board after reviewing medical documents from the hospital.

Linet claimed the airline stated that the hospital had not fully cleared Kate for air travel. The family was reportedly issued with a disclaimer indicating they would accept responsibility if complications occurred during the flight. The airline is said to have advised them to obtain full medical clearance before attempting to travel again.

The sisters later returned to their temporary accommodation in India, where they remain as they seek both treatment and approval for travel back to Kenya.

Family members estimate that the full transplant process, including surgery, post-operative care, accommodation, medication, and other related expenses, could cost more than KSh 6 million. 

They said the funds already raised had been used for medical assessments, travel, stabilisation procedures, and daily living expenses in India. The family has appealed to the Kenyan government and the Social Health Authority (SHA) for assistance. They argued that critically ill patients should not face lengthy financial and administrative processes while seeking emergency treatment abroad.

Linet said the family hoped authorities could help establish support arrangements directly with hospitals instead of requiring Kate to return to Kenya before beginning a new approval process.