The death of footballer Ezekiel Otuoma has left Kenyans in shock.
Despite having been diagnosed and living with Motor Neuron Disease for years, many did not foresee his death.
To add to the tragedy he passed away on the day his wife Rachael Otuoma was celebrating her birthday.
The big question is who was Otuoma?
He was born in Ramula, Gem.
He met his wife Rachel during a friend’s birthday party.
Married his wife in a white wedding in May 2015.’
He played for teams such as AFC Leopards, Western Stima, Ulinzi Stars, and Muhoroni Youth among others.
He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2020.
He and Rachel did not have kids due to his battle with Motor Neuron Disease.
In a past interview with Lynn Ngugi, Rachel revealed her now-late husband’s Motor Neuron Disease started as a joke.
“Otuoma started getting sick like the flu. We gave him homemade concoctions. His voice kept going away, his speech became slurred. A team player suggested we go and have tests carried out. We looked for a neurologist. The tests were carried out and he was diagnosed with Motor neuron disease,” Rachael Explained.
Rachel and Ezekiel Otuoma
Hoping for a different diagnosis the family sought a second opinion in India.
Sadly, the diagnosis was still the same.
“We went to India and he was diagnosed with the same thing. When we came back I visited different pastors. Some pastors alleged Otuoma’s teammates had worked against him. Some alleged that some family members were responsible for his condition. We even went to Kampala,” she added.
At some point, they accepted his condition.
“We had to sit down as a family and agree that he was indeed sick. My life has never been sick since he got sick. I am never at peace. He can’t speak, feed, talk, or do anything for himself. It has not been easy on him too.”
Asked why she has hung around despite her husband’s sickness, Rachel responded.
“Friends have told me to leave him, that if roles were reversed Otuoma would have deserted me. Even if he ever gets well and changes, I will have done my part. He treated me good and I will hang around.”
Rachel and Ezekiel Otuoma
Rachel took to her Tiktok account on Friday 20th, December to announce her husband’s death.
To my Husband, You left a hole in my heart that no one else can fill💔the emptiness in my arms reminds me of the love we shared. Your love was a gift and I’ll cherish it always.
“However, it was so soon that broke my heart. You left on my birthday, and it will never be the same again💔you never said you were leaving or even showed a sign, you never said goodbyeðŸ˜in life I loved you dearly in death I love you still in my heart you hold a place that only you can fill. It broke my heart to lose you but you didn’t go alone a part of me went with youðŸ˜. TILL ME WE MEET AGAIN.”
by PENINAH NJOKI
