This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
Ken Okoth, the charismatic Kibra Member of Parliament, had been battling colorectal cancer that had spread to his liver, leaving him in ICU. He had expressed his final wishes before his passing, which included not being put on a life support machine.
According to his brother Imran, Okoth had specifically stated that he did not want to be on life support, and an hour before his death, the decision was made to switch it off.
Okoth's journey with cancer had been a long and difficult one. Last year, he had traveled to Europe for further treatment, as he could not afford the expensive treatment in the USA. He had expressed his wish for Kenya to make cancer care a priority, highlighting the need for affordable treatment options for those who cannot afford expensive treatments abroad.
Okoth's words on the need for cancer care in Kenya still resonate today: "I COULD NOT AFFORD THE US BECAUSE IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. MY WIFE IS FROM EUROPE, WHERE THE COST IS MORE AFFORDABLE AND I COULD GET A RESIDENCE PERMIT QUICKLY FOR THE DURATION OF THE TREATMENT. SADLY, NOT EVERYONE IS AS LUCKY; WE NEED TO MAKE CANCER CARE IN KENYA A NATIONAL PRIORITY," he said.
