Timothy Wambunya, an Anglican Bishop who had traveled to the United Kingdom to support his son who was finishing up on his exams realised that he had contracted Covid-19 when he jetted back into the country in February.
Timothy who is the lead cleric in the Anglican Church, Butere, narrated the harrowing experience and journey to healing.
“When we were sent off from the airport to the first hotel for quarantine, they refused to accept us, then we were taken to Nairobi University in Kabete, they also refused to accept us.
“They took us to the government training college in Kabete as well, they refused to accept. Eventually, some of us ended up at the Kenya Medical and Training College,” Wambunya disclosed.
Wambunya and his son settled in the facility where they would be placed for 14 days. However, towards the end of their stay, the bishop developed a high fever and was taken to the Jomo Kenyatta University Hospital.
“My son wasn’t affected surprisingly and is still fine to this point but it hit me hard. I also gathered that in the whole quarantine centre, I was the only one who was positive,” he continued.
At the hospital, Wambunya stated that the staff was not very friendly, fearing they would contract the disease.
“They put me in a room, put tape around it and did not give me any food or drink and just left me there for about two days. My wife had to keep calling and asking them if they could give me any food or drink but I do not remember any attention being given to me,” he related.
While still at the facility, Wambunya stated that he lost 1,000 dollars (Ksh 100,0000) which he had in his pocket.
The man of God would then be transferred to the Aga Khan University Hospital, where his health deteriorated and had to be taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“I spent the first 16 days in ICU and I have no idea what happened to me but I’m told that as soon as I got there, I was placed in a mechanical ventilator.
“My body suffered badly, my organs failed, my liver, my lungs, my kidneys, all failed and the doctors had to work hard during that time when I was in ICU,” he added.
After two months of suffering, Wambunya was discharged on Wednesday, May 27, after testing negative for the disease.
Though he experiences a lot of changes from his home, he is grateful to be alive and in the comfort of his home.
“The family has set aside a special room for me, I am not really interacting with the family yet. I am undergoing physiotherapy as well, my limbs are still not very strong, I still can’t walk for long,” he added.
When asked if he would want churches to re-open, the bishop is torn, having suffered the disease himself.
“We can do the hand-washing, we can wear masks but the distance is going to be a challenge. I think something can be worked out but it still remains a dangerous situation bringing so many people together, the likelihood of re-opening is very high,” Wamunya concluded.
