Isaac Ruto: Turn of events was terribly devastating, if only I knew...

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has pledged to set up a cancer diagnostic and treatment Centre as a tribute to his departed daughter Emmy Chepng’etich Ruto.

He said the centre, will cater for cancer patients so that other children, mothers and fathers may avoid what has befallen his family.

The governor disclosed that the family has already raised Sh8 million towards establishment of the centre in Bomet County.

Ruto regretted that as a father he only knew of his daughter’s ailment, two weeks to her death. “I cannot tell exactly if I was a careless father or not, I keep on asking myself, if I knew about this earlier, I could have done something but Emmy was  always a positive and happy girl. It was difficult to sense she was unwell,” he said.

“She deteriorated so fast, doctors gave us hope of a 50/50 chance of survival, however the turn of events were terribly devastating. God has allowed us to speak, otherwise we could not,” he added.

Ruto remained optimistic that with the centre, no parent should grieve over the loss of a child especially in his/her prime age.

In an emotional tribute to his daughter, Ruto regretted that cancer, which snatched Emmy from the family aged only 25, has become the number one killer disease in the country, overtaking all other ailments like Malaria and HIV/Aids.

“It is sad that Emmy has succumbed to blood cancer  (leukemia) in the brink of her successful career in life, ” regretted Ruto.

He continued: “Doctors discovered that she suffered acute blood cancer, we were prepared psychologically to walk her through this difficult path to recovery, we didn’t anticipate this premature loss.”

Ruto who is also the Council of Governors chairman said that Emmy’s condition became a concern after she made five visits to hospital without any conclusive diagnosis.

“I took interest in the matter and insisted on numerous tests. It is at this point that the doctors discovered she had blood cancer. The news was devastating,” he said.

He added: “I immediately began preparations to airlift her to Texas. By Thursday it was apparent we could not use the commercial flight as she was on oxygen support. The doctor advised that we organise private air transport, which we did immediately with Amref.”

He said Emmy had a blood transfusion last weekend and was to be airlifted in the company of five relatives, including her mum Esther and a nurse but she succumbed on that day at 11am. Ruto admitted that even though his father battled the same disease, and lost, he didn’t expect to face the same fate a year later:  “I was angered with my dad’s tribulations. He was confined in a wheelchair for five years, he took only yoghurt for three years with no sleep no nothing. I went to the US to search for cure, not knowing my own daughter will suffer the same misfortune.”

Leaders from across the political divide were united in grief as they consoled with the family. CORD co-principals  Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka  joined other mourners for the requiem  mass at Maxwell SDA church, Nairobi. Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Senators, governors, MPs, top present and former government officials were also present.