Madeline Jeruto’s university dreams end in tragedy as Kenyan international student loses health battle

It started with a minor stroke but soon Madeline’s big dream for a brighter future was cut short with her sudden death leaving her community reeling.

26-year-old Madeline Jeruto has been remembered as a ‘beautiful and humble soul’. Picture: Facebook

An international student’s big dream to study overseas ended in tragedy when prolonged health issues led to her death last Thursday – devastating the Kenyan community.

In September 2023, Madeline Jeruto arrived in South Australia from Kenya to study business at the University of South Australia.

But two weeks after her arrival, the then-25-year-old suffered a mild stroke and since then, was in and out of the hospital.

The doctors could not provide a definitive diagnosis for Ms Jeruto and could only treat the symptoms of her complex medical issues in her kidneys, heart, lungs and high blood pressure.

Tragically, the 26-year-old died from cardiac arrest after a near two-year battle.

Her close friend, Josephine Komen, 27, said she’s still in shock over the news.

“Madeline was a very, very young and beautiful soul,” she said. “She was very kind, very humble and God-fearing. She used to go to church any time she was well”.

A lover of music, dance and fashion, she enjoyed making TikTok videos on occasion when feeling better.

Ms Jeruto died after a prolonged health battle, to the shock of Adelaide’s Kenyan community. Picture: GoFundMe

But Ms Jeruto’s delicate health had made it difficult for her to fly back to Kenya.

Ms Komen recalled how Madeline was briefly on the mend before she died, with renewed hopes of going home.

“We were … trying to see if she can go home. But then unfortunately, she had a cardiac arrest,” Ms Komen said.

As the oldest daughter of her house, the Kenyan community group – Kitwek South Australia –are trying to reunite her body with her family back home.

“Her parents are devastated,” Ms Komen said.

The local Kenyan community are raising money to help repatriate Ms Jeruto back to her loved ones in Kenya. Picture: GoFundMe

“They sent their daughter to study abroad, hoping for a brighter future, but instead she faced unimaginable struggles far from home.”

Hosea Boor, the community chair of Kitwek SA, said the 600 community members supported Ms Jeruto during her illness and were reeling from the loss.

“The community played the role of her parents, we came together for her,” he said

“We bring (sic) the feeling of a home away from home.

“She touched people with her resilience, it’s deeply affected the community”.

Kitwek SA have set up a GoFundMe to raise money to repatriate Ms Jeruto back to Kenya and cover funeral costs.

You can help support their efforts here.