Job Obwaka'S Grandson Breaks Down Requiem Mass, Asks What He'Ll Do After Doctor'S Death
img_tag = ("The raw grief of a grandson asking "What will I do without you?" has left mourners in tears as Nairobi says goodbye to one of Kenya's most respected doctors.
Dr Job Obwaka, the 83-year-old veteran gynaecologist who delivered thousands of Kenyan babies over five decades, was laid to rest today at a packed requiem mass in Nairobi. His grandson's emotional breakdown during the service captured what many families across the country are feeling - the loss of a medical legend who touched lives from Eastlands to Westlands, helping mothers bring new life into the world when healthcare was still a luxury for many.
The veteran doctor, who ran his practice from his clinic along Ngong Road, became a household name among expectant mothers who couldn't afford the expensive private hospitals in Upperhill. Many matatu drivers knew his clinic well, rushing anxious husbands there in the middle of the night when labor pains struck. Before M-Pesa made paying hospital bills easier, Dr Obwaka was known for his flexible payment plans that helped struggling families welcome their children safely.
What makes this goodbye even more painful for the family is the ongoing legal battles surrounding the doctor's estate. While they mourn their patriarch, court disputes continue to overshadow what should be a time of healing. The family dynamics mirror what many Kenyan families face when a successful relative passes away - grief mixed with property disputes that tear families apart just when they need each other most.
Dr Obwaka's legacy extends far beyond Nairobi's boundaries, reaching county hospitals where he trained young doctors and rural health centers that benefited from his medical outreach programs. His career spanned the era from independence to the digital age, witnessing Kenya's transformation while consistently serving mothers who trusted him with their most precious moments.
The doctor's death comes at a time when Kenya's healthcare system faces its biggest challenges yet, with strikes, drug shortages, and brain drain affecting public hospitals. His passing reminds us of a generation of dedicated doctors who built their reputation through service rather than social media, treating patients as family rather than numbers.
As his family navigates both grief and legal battles, one question lingers for Kenya's medical community: who will fill the shoes of doctors like Obwaka, and will the next generation of medics show the same dedication to serving ordinary Kenyans regardless of their ability to pay?