Bishop Ben Kiengei has donated an ambulance to the proposed TikTok Community Hospital, a project inspired by the emotional story of 17-year-old TikToker, Kaluma Boy, from Othaya, Nyeri County. The teenager rose to fame after sharing videos highlighting his father’s battle with a stroke, sparking nationwide sympathy and support.
On Sunday, October 5, hundreds of Kenyans joined Kiengei in Othaya for a Thanksgiving Service in honour of Kaluma Boy. During the event, the bishop revealed that the ambulance, purchased in June, has already been used to assist the ailing father and will serve as the first asset of the upcoming hospital for content creators.
“Some things happening in Kenya are because our youth are using their phones positively. I want to thank all Kenyan TikTokers who stood with Kaluma Boy. May God bless you,” Kiengei said. “That ambulance will be the first asset of the hospital that you are building.”
The idea to build a community hospital gained traction after the online campaign in support of Kaluma Boy. Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, Dennis Itumbi, lauded the initiative, calling it brilliant and aligned with President William Ruto’s goal of providing free and affordable healthcare to all Kenyans.
“Kenyans have built hospitals through faith-based efforts before. If TikTokers can now organize and build one, it’s a brilliant move,” Itumbi stated.
In addition, Bishop Kiengei announced that Kaluma Boy had received a full university scholarship at the East African University to study Sales and Marketing, focusing on digital marketing. The scholarship was confirmed by Dr. Christopher Mutembei, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor.
Kiengei emphasized that the story of Kaluma Boy demonstrates how social media, when used positively, can drive social and economic transformation among Kenya’s youth.
