A heartfelt thanksgiving moment unfolded on Monday 11th November 2024, as a family from Mathima paid a visit to Hon. Penina Malonza, marking a powerful reunion eight years in the making. The gathering was inspired by a memorable night back in 2017 when Penina Malonza, then serving as the Deputy Governor of Kitui County, had an unexpected encounter that would forge a lasting connection.
Around 1 a.m., as she was returning from Kanziko and passing through Mathima, Malonza came across Mrs. Kaluku, a woman in severe labor pain lying outside Mathima Hospital. Mrs. Kaluku and her family had been locked out by a guard who refused entry, claiming no nurses were available at that hour. Without hesitation, Malonza stepped in and drove Mrs. Kaluku to Mutomo Mission Hospital, where she received the necessary care. The family, moved by her kindness, named their daughter “Miracle Peninah” in honor of Malonza’s timely intervention. Now seven years old and in grade two, Miracle Peninah was born on March 17, 2017. The recent reunion allowed the Kaluku family to express their deep gratitude, while Hon. Malonza cherished the opportunity to meet her young namesake, reflecting on the power of compassion and the bond formed that night.
This wasn’t the only instance of Malonza’s life-saving interventions. Just two months later, in May 2017, she once again came to the aid of a mother in labor. The woman had endured three days of labor pains and was stranded without transport due to local conflicts between camel herders and farmers. Despite the risk, Malonza personally transported her to Mutomo Mission Hospital, where she delivered a healthy baby boy. In 2023, the grateful family reached out to Malonza to convey their heartfelt thanks.
Malonza’s courage was displayed yet again a month later when she encountered a middle-aged man who had been thrown from a charcoal lorry and left gravely injured by the roadside near Kinakoni. She transported him to Kisayani Dispensary, where he made a miraculous recovery. This man reappeared during a relief food distribution event in early 2024 in Kisayani, thanking Malonza for saving his life.
The stories of her selfless acts continued. On January 1, 2021, while traveling home, Malonza encountered the aftermath of a severe accident involving two motorcycles on the Mosa-Kibwezi road. The two riders were severely injured, and their passengers were also in need of urgent care. Malonza quickly organized transport to Ikanga Dispensary, where they received first aid, and arranged for their transfer to Kitui Hospital. Miraculously, all five victims survived.
Time and again, Hon. Penina Malonza has found herself in the right place at the right time, driven by an unwavering compassion that has saved lives. With each story, an invisible hand seems to guide her to those in need, solidifying her role as a ‘destined helper’ and inspiring the community with her dedication and humanity.
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