A Mombasa woman who collapsed during her 32nd birthday celebrations has not uttered a single word or carried out any basic function on her own since February 14, 2026, leaving her family searching desperately for answers.
Rose Mwende Mala fell asleep at the gathering, which was held on Valentine’s Day, and never truly woke up. Nine months on, she lies bedridden at home, fully dependent on her family for every daily need.
Is Rose’s cost of treatment expensive?
A doctor currently attending to Rose shared a medical report with the family indicating that her condition could point to exposure to a toxic substance.
According to the doctor, the symptoms observed were consistent with lead or zinc poisoning, though no definitive cause has been confirmed.
The cost of her treatment, including medication and therapy sessions, continues to climb, pushing the family to their financial limits.
Rose’s mum describes anguish of watching her daughter in heartbreaking state
“The symptoms she is showing are mostly consistent with either lead or zinc,” the doctor said, while also urging anyone who could assist the family to come forward.
“We are asking for support because the family is struggling and the expenses of caring for her are very high. Medication is expensive and taking her to therapy also costs a lot of money.”
Rose’s mother, who is her primary caregiver, described the anguish of watching her daughter in this state. She said Rose has been unable to do anything for herself since that night.
Rose’s mum speaks about misleading content
“She has never spoken since she fell asleep at the table. I do everything for her,” she said, adding that she has many unanswered questions about why, among everyone at the birthday party, only her daughter ended up in this condition.
The matter was reported at Bamburi Police Station in Mombasa County, and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Bamburi are actively pursuing the case.
No arrests have been made so far. Adding to the family’s distress is a wave of misleading content circulating on social media about the circumstances of Rose’s condition.
Why did Rose’s mum stop watching TikTok?
Her mother said she stopped watching some of the videos because of the inaccurate claims being made.
“I stopped watching TikTok because you see people putting things about your child and saying things they do not know. Some are even saying she is Tanzanian, yet my child is a Kamba. How can she be Tanzanian?” she said, expressing frustration at the speculation.
The family is appealing to well-wishers to contribute towards Rose’s ongoing medical care as the investigation continues.
