‘HER TOES WERE AMPUTATED’ SENJE’S HUSBAND OPENS UP ABOUT THE ACTRESS DEATH

Actress Eillene Otieno, popularly known as Senje, has passed away. She succumbed to complications from a leg infection on November 23, 2024, at Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi. 

Eillene’s husband, Mourice Ndaka, recounted her harrowing health journey, which began in October when she accidentally pricked her right leg big toe. 

Being diabetic, the minor injury quickly escalated into a severe infection despite receiving a tetanus injection and initial treatment, the infection worsened. “Eillene told me something pricked her right leg toe in October, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Since she was diabetic, the wound became infected. I advised her to get a tetanus injection, which she did,” Mourice shared with Buzz Central. 

At the time, Mourice was working on a project in Vihiga. “When I returned, she complained of swelling. We visited a local hospital in Mwiki, where they said her sugar levels were high and put her on a drip for four hours. She was discharged, but an hour later, she called, saying she was in severe pain.” 

The couple sought help from a wound specialist at Lions Hospital in Loresho, but as her condition worsened, they were referred to a surgeon at Kikuyu Hospital. After an examination, the surgeon recommended amputation due to the infection’s spread. “The surgeon examined the leg and proposed an amputation 10 cm from the knee. We contacted her family who said we need to seek a second opinion. We were to Kenyatta National Hospital but they Hospital was full so they referred us to Mbagathi Hospital.”

The actress was admitted to Mbagathi on November 1, where two of her right leg toes were amputated. Over the following days, the remaining toes were also removed as the infection advanced. She was scheduled for a final surgery on November 23 to prepare her leg for grafting, but her health took a turn for the worse. “I visited her on Friday, November 22, and stayed until 6:30 pm. She seemed weak but said she wanted to rest. At 5 am, I received a call from the hospital informing me to come to the hospital. I was informed she had passed away at 4 am due to septic shock.” 

In a tribute to his late wife, Ndaka said he will cherish their memories, “Eillene, my love I will miss you very very much, I have lost two thirds of my family equation, but I will make sure that you stay inside my heart with the legacy that you left behind and all the great memories you gave us. Fare well my dear, you loved and cared for us so much.you were great.”