This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
On July 26, 2019, Kenya lost a young leader when Kibra MP Kenneth Okoth passed away at the age of 41 due to colorectal cancer. This comes just two weeks after he made his first public appearance after spending several months of treatment in France.
Okoth's death is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of cancer in Kenya. According to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, 33,000 people die of cancer every year, with most cases being diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Okoth had been battling stage four colorectal cancer since March, but had continued to carry out his duties as a Member of Parliament. He had even attended the Kibra annual music festival, accompanied by Senator Sakaja.
However, his condition took a turn for the worse, and he was rushed to Nairobi Hospital where he was admitted in ICU with multiple organ failure. Despite being put on life support, Okoth refused to be on the machine, according to unconfirmed reports.
Okoth's death is a loss to the people of Kibra and the country as a whole. He will be remembered for his bravery in the face of adversity and his determination to survive the killer disease.
