Abel Mutua narrates pain of losing a childhood friend to malaria

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In the eyes of Abel Mutua, one of Kenya's foremost creative directors, content creator, actor, and avid storyteller, malaria has a face. That face is etched in Mutua's deepest reaches of his soul, a face that refuses to fade away. A scar that time is yet to heal.

Mutua had a childhood friend, Kevin Mwaura, who, like Mutua, loved theatre. The year was 2003 and the 17-year-old Mwaura had qualified to perform at the Kenya National Drama Festivals in Kisumu. The boy is elated. And so is Mutua. But amid the colourful performances, some dark force was stalking him.