I asked doctor to let me watch Liverpool match before surgery- Big Kev

By Cate Mukei | 8yrs ago | 4 min read

Tru-Blaq founder Kevin Ombajo has undergone surgery five times due to a recurring brain tumour. Although Big Kev as he is popularly known has learnt how to live with his condition, he reveals that it has denied him his 'small joys' like riding a motorbike, playing the guitar and even dancing. He shares to Cate Mukei how his family and friends have supported him

You just came back home from India after undergoing your fifth operation. How was it?

Honestly, I was scared. I remember before going to the theatre, I asked God to heal me and let this be the last surgery I was undergoing.

How and when did you discover you had a brain tumour?

It was in 2010. I remember I was watching a movie with my wife and daughter. I felt this sharp pain in my head and minutes later, I suffered a seizure. I can’t recall much since I blacked out. I woke up in hospital and that is when the doctors confirmed I had a brain tumour.

What happened after that?

I was booked for surgery the following day since my condition needed immediate attention. Before heading to the theatre, I asked the doctor and my family to allow me to watch a football match featuring my favourite team, Liverpool. I went to the surgery room in very high spirits because my team won!

How did your wife, daughter and entire family handle it?

My daughter was only four at the time and so she did not understand much. However, as a young couple, this took a toll on our marriage. I remember one time having a fit while driving to a friend’s barbeque party. My wife panicked because we were not in a safe neighbourhood. That’s just an example. Her greatest challenge was to learn how to handle my condition. She was a bit stressed.

Is this the reason you separated for one and a half years?

No. Our separation happened long before. I lacked mentorship. If I had someone I could have looked up to, I would never have separated. I proposed to my wife after six months of dating and I don’t really think that I knew what marriage entailed. When we separated, I would host parties in my house everyday. I just woke up one day and called my wife asking if we could talk. I did not want to deny my daughter a father figure, yet I grew up with one.

Has your health condition affected you ?

Although my medical bills did not affect my business, it is very expensive. The money I have used for treatment is enough to buy another house. It also affected my education since I had to defer for one year before clearing my masters just recently. It also got to a point that I could no longer ride my bikes, something that I enjoyed so much.

What is the one thing you miss doing?

I really miss dancing. I was a fantastic dancer. The right side of my brain has affected my concentration and I can’t even do the shuffle. I believe that one day I will be able to do all the little things.

Where do you derive your strength from?

My inbox is full of encouraging messages from people who say that my story has touched them. I have received support, not only from family, but also friends and even people from the government.

True Blaq is one of the most successful events businesses in Kenya. What is your secret?

I was a go-getter since childhood. Apart from that, I have a massive support system from my sister Jackie Ombajo who runs the company most of the time. My employees are also very committed to push this company to higher levels. My vision is to not only cover the whole country, but also capture Africa.

As a former gospel rapper, what is your opinion on the current generation of gospel artistes?

I was part of the generation that paved the way for these artistes and of course, we received a lashing and were even thrown out of church. It’s not in my place to judge as the Bible is very clear about that. That said, I’m really struggling with the current crop of contemporary gospel artistes. Recently, I read of two gospel artistes fighting over a song, which sounded more like a publicity stunt.