NAIROBI, Kenya — At 65, John Munyiri expected to be tending crops on his Laikipia farm.
Instead, he found himself confronting a rare and aggressive cancer that would alter his face and test his resilience.
What began as a persistent blockage in his left nostril gradually worsened. His eye became swollen and watery.
Farming grew difficult. Sleeping became uncomfortable. Even speaking felt strained. A biopsy later confirmed maxillary carcinoma, a rare sinus cancer.
In June 2022, Munyiri was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Doctors administered 25 sessions of radiotherapy in a bid to contain the disease. The cancer persisted.
By June 2023, surgeons made the difficult decision to perform radical surgery.
They removed his left eye, part of his nose, and sections of his upper jaw to save his life.
When he woke up, the cancer was gone. But a visible part of his identity was also lost.
The physical victory carried a heavy emotional toll. Public outings drew stares. An eye patch became a daily shield. Though declared cancer-free, Munyiri struggled with confidence and social interaction.
His recovery, however, did not end in the operating theatre.
At the KNH Dental Unit, a multidisciplinary team from the Maxillofacial and Prosthodontics departments began reconstructive rehabilitation.
After healing, Munyiri was fitted with a customised maxillary obturator to close the gap between his mouth and nasal cavity. The device restored his ability to speak clearly and eat comfortably.
Dentures followed. Speech therapy sessions helped him regain clarity and control. Gradually, daily functions returned.
Yet for nearly four years, the eye patch remained.
In June 2025, doctors addressed the emotional dimension of his recovery. They designed a three-piece, magnet-retained orbital–facial prosthesis tailored to his anatomy. The device offered stability, comfort, and a natural facial contour.
In January 2026, Munyiri became the first patient in Kenya’s public healthcare system — and at KNH — to receive an orbital–facial prosthesis. The milestone signals progress in reconstructive and maxillofacial care within public hospitals.
The procedure was led by Dr. Samuel Okerosi, Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon; Dr. Margaret Mwasha, Consultant Prosthodontist; Dr. Andrew Okiriamu, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon; and Dental Technologist John Kariuki.
Together, the team restored facial symmetry and function. More importantly, they restored dignity.