Apollo Doctor - Okal Benbella & Victoria Chomeka

The Spartan Kingdom among the former Empire Greek States were considered the best war strategists of their time winning against any invading forces with the least of casualties. It is suspected that one their most common strategies was making a sham retreat to allow the enemy front-line to advance under a false assumption of “surrender”.

In the due course they would poison the supply system (mostly water wells and the wild fruits along). The invading force would therefore pause to replenish after which they would fall one by one to the resisting Spartan force. This weakening of the enemy forces by the poisoned supply lines was health-based strategy by the Spartans which made them outstand even against the mightiest, for example the Persians under the command of King Xerxes.

Recently I had an opportunity to visit public hospitals in Bomet & Narok and saw uncomfortable scenes resulting from both lack of vital and basic health service supplies as well as the understaffed ill-equipped teams. Something needs to be done.

Without health, there is very little we can do as humans; and without functioning health facilities and services together with well equipped professionals, the situation turns dire, deadly and fatal.

So, the year was mid-1980s. I was just a kid. And a Clinical Officer by the name James Ondigo left Asembo, Siaya for Sori Bay, Migori. Most parts of the country had an average of 3 Physicians per hospital in bigger urbans and the surrounding; and about 2 doctors per District (translating to roughly 2 physicians for every 6 hospitals). As such anybody with a bit of First Aid knowledge; whether community health worker, nurses and nurse assistants became “doctors” in the eyes of the local communities.

Mr. Ondigo therefore worked with the local community playing even the role of a Physician to cap for the scarcity which imposed a health burden on the local population. After a few years stint at a municipal health centre at Sori Bay, James moved to a place called Wath Onger, 10 km from Sori and with the help of some Catholic priests, he established a philanthropic health centre with unlimited health support to locals as long as the donations kept flowing in. Many a times, he would use his personal resources to cater for the local community health.

Time passed by and the Clinical Officer, Mr. James Ondigo became Apollo Doctor, wuod Asembo. People would travel from as far as Tanzania-Kenya border to seek medical assistance at Wath Onger centre. His popularity later caught up the attention of the rest of Nyanza and even reached Nairobi the capital city. Dr. Apollo saved thousands of lives and helped many ladies with difficulty in conceiving to get pregnant. I don't know whether Apollo later upgraded to a full doctor or remained a clinical offcier.

With the positive reputation also came the blessings from above and the donations got bigger as the health assistance he offered transcended borders. Many local musicians from Benga scene like Oguda OTC (Lawrence Oguda Dunga), Omondi Senior (Peter Omondi Wadeya - RIP) and Okal Benbella (Benson Okal Nyagol - RIP) made songs in his praise.

This song here is one among those many. Victoria Chomeka did it(in 1995) and Jojo Records produced it.
Today health services in Kenya have become so expensive and very inaccessible for those with low in-come. I don’t know whether Apollo Doctor is still alive but I know of many living relatives and friends who are grateful for the services he rendered them back then. I lost my brother (32 yrs old) who was a medical doctor with Coptic Hospital, NBI. He succumbed to a road accident in Bomet on March 12th 2024. The feeling is hard to overcome but life is what it is.

Okal Benbella was one of the best composers of the last Century beside being a formidable 2nd & 3rd vocalist in any set. The vocals here are; lead - Ndugu Rabby, 2nd vocals - Okal and 3rd - Maureen nyar Rusinga.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the health professionals out there, all the hospital staff. You’re really make us see every new day whenever possible. Hongera.