On Sunday, thousands of Kenyans travelled to Othaya, Nyeri County, to support 17-year-old TikToker Vincent Kaluma aka Kaluma Boy and his father.
Kaluma Boy went viral after sharing his journey of caring for his father. His father fell sick in August 2024 after suffering a stroke, then went into a coma that lasted three months. He finally left the hospital in December, but recovery has been slow. Kaluma says it still feels like his father is in a hospital ward, only this time at home.
The care has been tough. His father needs therapy sessions that cost up to KSh 1,000 every day. He also needs frequent catheter changes and other medical care that drains the family’s finances. To keep up, Kaluma works hard on their small tea farm, harvesting and selling tea leaves to raise money for treatment.
Kaluma often goes live on TikTok while looking after his dad. Sometimes he includes him in the videos, and with over 259,000 followers.
At one point, Kaluma asked his TikTok followers for help. Kenyans quickly responded by creating a paybill for donations and later showing up in their thousands, arriving in matatus and on motorbikes, filling Othaya Town before going to his home in Chinga for a healing and restoration event.
The support also brought new chances for Kaluma. After the fundraiser, he was offered six ambassadorial jobs, including one with Mofarm, which gave him funding and cement for his family’s home.
Kaluma believes his father will heal faster if offered regular therapy at a proper facility. Until then, he does his best at home, and the support from Kenyans has given them hope
By Vivian K.