For 65-year-old John Munyiri, a farmer from Laikipia County, what began as a stubborn blockage in his left nostril slowly turned into a life-altering ordeal.
Months later, his left eye became swollen and watery.
Farming became difficult. Sleep was interrupted. Even speaking grew uncomfortable.
A biopsy eventually confirmed the devastating diagnosis: maxillary carcinoma, a rare and aggressive sinus cancer.
In June 2022, he was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where he underwent 25 sessions of radiotherapy in a determined effort to halt the spread of the disease.
Despite treatment, the cancer required radical surgery in June 2023. Surgeons removed his left eye, part of his nose, and sections of his upper jaw to save his life.
When he woke up, he was cancer-free — but physically transformed.
The medical victory came with an emotional cost. Looking in the mirror was painful. Walking with an eye patch drew curious stares. For a man deeply rooted in community life, the visible changes quietly eroded his confidence.
His journey, however, did not end in the operating theatre.
At the KNH Dental Unit, the Maxillofacial and Prosthodontics teams began the delicate work of restoring both function and dignity.
After healing, he was fitted with a customized maxillary obturator to close the gap between his mouth and nasal cavity, enabling him to speak clearly and eat properly again.
Dentures followed. With speech therapy and continued prosthetic support, he gradually regained daily functions many take for granted.
Yet emotionally, something was still missing.
For nearly four years, the eye patch remained a constant reminder of loss.
In June 2025, recognizing both the complexity of his condition and its psychological impact, a multidisciplinary team stepped in once more.
They designed and crafted a three-piece, magnet-retained orbital–facial prosthesis — engineered for improved stability, comfort, and natural appearance.
In January 2026, Munyiri became the first patient in Kenya’s public healthcare system — and at Kenyatta National Hospital — to receive an orbital–facial prosthesis.
The milestone was achieved through the collaboration of Dr. Samuel Okerosi, Consultant ENT and Head and Surgeon, Margaret Mwasha, MBS, Consultant Prosthodontist and Andrew Okiriamu, HSC, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Also present was John Kariuki, Dental Technologist.
Together, they restored not just facial symmetry, but his sense of wholeness — freeing him from the eye patch he had worn for years.
Munyiri is back on his farm in Laikipia. He speaks clearly. He eats comfortably. He walks with renewed confidence.
His journey is a powerful Kenyan story of resilience, innovation, and the strength of multidisciplinary care.
It demonstrates that beyond saving lives, public healthcare can restore dignity, identity, and hope.
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