Kenyan Nurse in US Goes Viral for Saving Colleague's Life During Shift, Hailed as Hero Abroad

Country: United States
Date Published: December 16, 2025

Nairobi, Kenya – A Kenyan nurse working in Texas has captured the hearts of thousands on X (formerly Twitter) after a dramatic video surfaced showing her performing emergency CPR on a collapsing colleague during a hectic night shift. Posted by verified healthcare influencer @NurseLifeUSA on December 16, the clip quickly amassed over 500,000 views, sparking widespread praise from the Kenyan diaspora and locals alike. The nurse, identified as Mercy Wanjiku, a 32-year-old from Kiambu County who relocated to the US three years ago, was lauded in trending threads under #KenyanHero and #DiasporaExcellence.

The incident unfolded at a Dallas hospital, where Wanjiku's quick thinking and medical expertise turned a potential tragedy into a story of triumph. Eyewitness accounts shared by fellow nurses on X detailed how Wanjiku sprang into action without hesitation, administering chest compressions and coordinating with the crash team until her colleague regained consciousness. "This is why we left home – to save lives everywhere," Wanjiku wrote in a follow-up tweet that garnered 20,000 likes, highlighting the sacrifices of Kenyan healthcare workers abroad amid ongoing brain drain discussions in Kenya.

Reactions poured in from prominent Kenyan accounts, including @CitiZenTVKenya, which retweeted the video with the caption: "Kenyans making us proud in the diaspora! Mercy Wanjiku, a true lifesaver. #ProudlyKenyan." Regular users joined the chorus, with threads debating the challenges faced by Kenyan professionals in the US healthcare system, from grueling hours to cultural adjustments. One viral reply from @DiasporaKenyan read: "From matatu streets to US ERs – Mercy embodies the Kenyan hustle. Sending her flowers virtually!"

The story has ignited broader conversations on X about Kenyan contributions to global healthcare, with influencers like @BonifaceMwangi amplifying it to call for better recognition back home. While some posts touched on controversies like exploitation in foreign job markets, the overwhelming sentiment remains celebratory. As Wanjiku's video continues to trend, it serves as a beacon of positivity for Kenyans abroad navigating life far from home.