KTN’s Betty Kyalo Narrates How She Almost Lost Her Life After Being Run Over by a Matatu

Looking at her, she wears the warmest smile and is always jovial. But for KTN’s Betty Kyallo, she decided to change her scars into floral gardens.

9 years ago, Betty almost lost her life when she was run over by a matatu and left for dead but God let her live to tell the tale.

Here’s her account of that nightmare;

“On the 6th of August 2005, ( a day like today) I nearly lost my life after being hit by a matatu in the CBD. I sustained serious injuries having broken my jaw, collar bone, 4 ribs, punctured my lungs, broke my left leg and worst of all scarred my face and neck.

Betty & fiance Dennis Okari on the cover of True Love

That matatu was clearly meant to kill me. I stayed in hospital for 2 months and underwent 8 corrective surgeries. I learnt how to walk again like a child and had to deal with the scars which was the hardest thing as a teenage girl.

My dreams were crushed, lost my self esteem, pitied myself and cried every night. However because of God’s grace, love and mercy I pulled through. I am still here and I’m grateful for life. For my mom who went through it all with me, felt my pain, even offered to give me part of her skin to correct my face through grafting.

Spending hours by my side holding my hand and encouraging me to soldier on. Being strong when i clearly saw the pain and distress she was going through. Mum I love you tonnes for getting me through it. My great friend and brother Brian, my sweet sister Mercy who were there for me charming me with jokes although my jaw wouldn’t let me smile or laugh. My friends who visited me everyday of my hospitalization.

During one of her trips abroad

Doctors who literally worked on me. Kenyatta National hospital Private wing nurses, who were caring and never got tired of my calls for assistance. I say a big warm thank you to you all, I’m still on my journey because of something you did.

I now continue pursuing and living my dream after it was once crushed. I couldn’t have imagined I would live to see my daughter. I am more than happy, more than blessed. I’m still here. Life is precious.”