Unseen battle: How one man's struggle with chronic Lymphedema changed his life

Francis Komu, 36 , a business man at Kiambu who's battling with Lymphoedema for fifteen years now. [Rogers Otiso, Standard]

Fifteen years ago, Francis Komu’s life took an unexpected turn on what seemed like an ordinary evening. Standing at a matatu stage after a long day’s work, the then 22-year-old felt a sharp, needle-like pain in his ankle. At first, he brushed it off, scratching the irritating itch until it subsided.

But later, as he prepared for a shower, he noticed something alarming: bloodstains on his knee and his nails, signs that his scratching had broken the skin. Assuming it was a simple allergic reaction, he slept it off. The next day, a doctor recommended a tetanus shot, but weeks passed, and the discomfort persisted.