Kenyan woman stranded in india as airline allegedly rejects her flight home amid health concerns

• A Bungoma family told TUKO.co.ke that the ailing Bungoma county employee, Kate Nabutola, has been stranded in India.
• An Indian airline allegedly blocked her return, citing serious health concerns and a letter from the hospital
• Her family pleaded for continued support to raise KSh 6 million towards Kate’s treatment and post-operative care

Nancy Odindo is a current affairs writer at Tuko.co.ke (joined in 2023). She has one year of experience in print and more than five years in digital media.

Bungoma County employee Kate Nabutola’s return to Kenya has been reportedly blocked by an Indian airline after her mission to undergo a liver transplant failed due to a lack of funds.

Nabutola had travelled alongside her sister to undergo the procedure following her diagnosis of liver failure.

How did Kate Nabutola get to India?

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the single mother revealed that Kenyans had contributed generously to support her journey and treatment following several hospitalisations in Kenya that bore no fruit.

She was connected to the super specialty hospital by a Kenyan friend who assured her family that payments would be staggered to allow time for fundraising.

However, days after she was confirmed ready for surgery, the doctors demanded an upfront payment of KSh 3.5 million, money that the family did not have.

The demand shattered their hopes, forcing them to organise her return to Kenya to plan future fundraisers to facilitate her return.

Kate was scheduled to fly back to Kenya on Sunday, May 17, despite her failing health.

Why was Kate Nabutola blocked from returning to Kenya?

Her sister, Linet Nabutola, told TUKO.co.ke that Kate endured a two-hour journey to the airport, vomiting and in a wheelchair, ready to travel back home, only for the airline to allegedly refuse to fly her, citing her serious health concerns.

“The airline has refused to fly her back home. They said that the hospital, in good conscience, said it was not comfortable clearing her for a flight. That hospital only gave a letter stating that the family would be liable for anything that happens to her in the skies. So the airline said that they can’t fly her back in such a condition.

She was vomiting and severely ill. When they saw her in the wheelchair, they read the letter and directed that they contact them within seven days to reschedule the flight after they get the letter clearing them to fly, or they will reimburse the funds, meaning they are now stuck in India,” she claimed.

The sisters returned to the Airbnb accommodation where they had been staying following her discharge.

How much does Kate need for her treatment?

Linet pleaded with Kenyans to continue supporting Kate’s medical journey, noting that the family requires KSh 6 million to cover her transplant process and the rest for post-operative care and upkeep.

She expressed disappointment that Kate could still not be attended to until the family raises the KSh 3.5 million required as a deposit for her transplant.

“These guys can’t go to the hospital and cannot return to Kenya. Was this supposed to be a one-way trip? I wish our leaders could come to our help, even the government, now that the SHA has been enabled to operate overseas. We are praying that they even allow for hospital-to-hospital transfer with SHA on board without her coming back. We pray our plea touches someone,” she pleaded.

Linet noted that the government had directed that Kate return to Kenya first and restart the process of SHA because her funds had been depleted.

To support Kate, send your contributions via PayBill 522533, account 8081619.

Kenyan man seeks KSh 8m after wife develops cardiac arrest

In other news, a Kenyan man, Robert Mutua, appealed for help to raise nearly KSh 8 million after his wife developed a cardiac arrest hours after giving birth.

The woman was reportedly mismanaged, leading to the condition that has stayed for over six months.

Mutua revealed that he hired a title deed to give to Nairobi Hospital as he sought a transfer to a hospital in South B where the woman remains admitted.

His child also became epileptic and requires urgent surgery.

Source: TUKO.co.ke