Tuju recalls pain he endured after crash, grateful to be alive
Jubilee Party secretary general Raphael Tuju, who sustained multiple injuries including 13 broken ribs in an accident on February 12, is expected to fully recover in the next two to three months.
While speaking at the Karen hospital yesterday, Tuju said he had a tough experience, adding that the pain of the fractures he suffered was excruciating. He suffered 10 broken right ribs and another three on the left.
“Thirteen ribs broken and there is nothing you can do about it but to wait. I have a few enemies in this country and everywhere around the world but I would not wish them the kind of pain I had,” he said.
Tuju said yesterday was the third day he managed to walk without support.
“My faith is strong and my mind is strong. I had multiple injuries in the intestines which were bleeding,” he said.
Need briefing
Following the rib fractures and lung injuries, the doctors had to make some life and death decisions to remove the life support systems so that he could travel to London.
Part of the treatment involved vertebrae operation to protect the spinal cord.
Tuju said though he had a very tough experience with a lot of pain, one of his greatest regrets was that he would not participate in the Heart to Heart run that raises money for children with heart problems.
“I would have loved to be with the children during the run. There is none I have missed for the last 27 years.
The SG, however, said he was not in a position to talk about politics as he needed to be briefed before commenting on any political matter.
“I lost about one week of my life that I have no recollection of what happened.
Since I came back on Saturday it is only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday that I have been able to stand on my own and walk. Politics is the last thing I would want to discuss,” he said.
Tuju said he was thankful to God every day.
Give him time
“The things we take for granted every morning you wake up and go and take breakfast then all of a sudden you have an experience like this and you need help to go to the bathroom. You have a lot to thank God for,” he said.
Tuju said the most wonderful thing was to be back home.
“To come out of that is a miracle from God and I want to thank the many Kenyans who sent words of encouragement. I know some sent messages of condolences to my family,” he said.
His doctor, Dan Gikonyo, said friends and relatives should give Tuju time to relax and heal.
Tuju was involved in an accident on February 12 while heading to former President Daniel arap Moi’s burial in Kabarak, Nakuru county.
His car collided head-on with a matatu at Magina on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and he was rushed to Kijabe Mission Hospital before being airlifted to Karen Hospital, Nairobi. He was later taken to London for specialised treatment.
