“One Step at a Time” says Josaya Mawa as he inspires Makueni residents to fight hypertension with Healthy Living
By A Special Correspondent
Kilome, Makueni May 19, 2025
At 67, Josaya Mawa walks with the help of a prosthetic leg and a cane, his pace steady but deliberate, each step a hard-earned victory over illness and regret.
“I used to think I was invincible,” he says with a wistful smile. “Meat every day. Beer every weekend. No exercise. I was young, full of energy—and foolish.”
On Monday, as he stood before a crowd at Itumbule Health Centre to mark World Hypertension Day, Mawa’s message was raw and deeply personal. He spoke not as a victim, but as a survivor of a battle many Kenyans are silently fighting—against the slow, creeping grip of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
“I lost my leg to a stroke,” he told the gathered residents, his voice rising with passion. “And that stroke came from high blood pressure—undiagnosed for years. If I had changed my ways earlier, I would still have my leg. But I’m here to tell you: it’s not too late for you.”
Why Mawa’s story matters
Mawa’s story is both sobering and inspiring. Diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension in 2009, he ignored his doctor’s warnings for years, choosing instead to continue with what he calls “a normal life”—drinking, eating fatty foods, and living with little regard for his health. In 2017, a stroke robbed him of mobility and cost him his right leg.
“I nearly died,” he says. “But God gave me another chance. And now I use that chance to speak.”
His transformation began in a hospital bed, where he spent months learning to move again. The process was painful and humbling. But from that struggle emerged a mission: to ensure others don’t walk the same path of suffering.
At World Hypertension Day commemorations, Mawa urged residents to get regular checkups, eat healthy foods, and stay physically active.
“This disease does not announce itself,” he said. “By the time you feel sick, it may already be too late. But you can catch it early. You can manage it. And yes, you can live a full life.”
County takes action against lifestyle diseases
Makueni County marked this year’s World Hypertension Day with renewed commitment to tackling the growing threat of non-communicable diseases. Leading the event, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili reaffirmed the county government’s pledge to make life-saving medications and services accessible to all.
“Hypertension is one of the most common—and most preventable—causes of death in our communities,” she said. “We must move from treatment to prevention. That is why we are increasing our investments in primary healthcare.”
Mulili announced that the county has scaled up funding to ensure a steady supply of antihypertensive drugs in all Level 2 and Level 3 health facilities, bridging the gap that has historically left patients stranded.
“No one should miss medication because of stockouts,” she emphasized. “That is not acceptable.”
In a bold move, the county is also equipping Community Health Promoters (CHPs) with portable blood pressure monitors. These CHPs will conduct door-to-door screenings, helping to identify cases early, refer patients promptly, and follow up to ensure adherence to treatment.
“It’s about bringing healthcare closer to the people,” Mulili said.
New tools and smarter systems
County Health Executive Dr. Paul Musila echoed the urgency of the situation. He revealed that the health department is now digitizing patient records for those diagnosed with hypertension. This will help improve the tracking of medication needs and prevent drug shortages.
“When we know who needs what, and when, we can plan better,” Dr. Musila said. “Our goal is to build a seamless system where patients don’t fall through the cracks.”
The county will also intensify medical outreaches to rural and underserved areas, especially targeting non-communicable diseases. These efforts are aimed at making screening and early diagnosis a routine part of healthcare—not a luxury for the privileged few.
“We want every mwananchi to feel seen, heard, and cared for,” Dr. Musila said.
Neighbours helping neighbours
At the heart of these efforts is a simple but powerful truth: change begins with awareness.
Faith Mutiso, a Community Health Promoter in Kilome, has already begun visiting households with a blood pressure monitor in her kit.
“The work is not easy,” she says. “But when you see a woman realize her blood pressure is high and she had no idea—when she thanks you for possibly saving her life—that’s why we do this.”
Mutiso says the stigma around hypertension and diabetes is slowly lifting, thanks in part to stories like Mawa’s.
“When people hear from someone who has suffered and survived, they listen differently,” she says. “They begin to believe that they, too, can take control of their health.”
A future filled with hope
While the statistics may be grim—over one in four Kenyan adults lives with hypertension, according to the Ministry of Health—there is growing hope that these numbers can be reversed through early action, public education, and community-centered care.
Josaya Mawa’s journey is a testament to resilience and redemption.
“I lost something important, yes,” he says, tapping his prosthetic leg. “But I gained something more important—a purpose.”
His message resonates beyond Kilome, beyond Makueni. It speaks to every Kenyan who has ever ignored a headache, skipped a checkup, or reached for another plate without a second thought.
“We must take care of our bodies,” he says. “Eat well. Move your body. Check your pressure. Life is precious—and trust me, you don’t want to learn that the hard way.”
As World Hypertension Day fades from the headlines, Makueni’s message remains clear: prevention is possible, support is growing, and hope is alive.
And with voices like Mawa’s leading the charge, the journey toward healthier communities is well underway—one step at a time.
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