I need specialised treatment to see again, cries Imbalambala

Former AFC Leopards captain Martin Imbalambala is desperately crying for financial help to seek specialised treatment after losing his eyesight since 2018.

Imbalambala, 31, now says the treatment he has been undergoing for the last two years has not helped anything, as the situation has worsened over the time.

Worse still, he has been unable to pay for his monthly checkups costing Sh. 4,000, forcing him to skip the routine he has observed since the condition struck.

“I need of help. I need to get back to normal life and enjoy life just like any other human being. I have been at home in Sabatia all that time and we are going through a hard time as a family because of the monthly bills.

“However, I this is just managing a situation that is already awful. My hope is that I can get a specialised treatment and see again, and probably play football again,” he said.

Imbalambala, who was rocked in management controversies before he left Leopards in 2015, recalls how his unexpected loss of sight started.

“I was in Thika and just after a training session I started experiencing Malaria symptoms. At around 3am I couldn’t  see properly, I was taken to hospital, got some treatment and until today I have never recovered,” a disconsolate Imbalambala narrated.

Preliminary examinations at a Nairobi hospital revealed the defender had a nerve problem causing the blindness.

His up and downs in football include short stints with then Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Nakumatt FC, Kakamega Homeboyz and Vihiga United who feature in the National Super League (NSL).

Currently, Imbalambala survives on family and friends donations which he says have never been enough for better treatment, apart from the routine checkups.

“Friends have been trying their best to help me raise the monthly clinic funds, but I have realized this won’t change anything. I appeal to people of goodwill to help me get quality treatment. I believe all is not lost and I will see again, and provide for my family,” he concluded.