This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On Monday, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko disclosed that more than 60 Kenyan MPs are currently battling cancer, sparking concerns about the rising cancer claims in the country.
Speaking at Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi following the death of Bomet Governor Dr Joyce Laboso, Governor Sonko stated, "Cancer is a serious disease. The reports we have now indicate that there are over 60 MPs with cancer... As leaders, we need to strategize on the way forward and how we will deal with the disease,"
Kenya has lost two leaders to cancer in less than a week, with Kibra MP Ken Okoth passing away last Friday and Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso dying on Monday.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 40,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer annually, while at least 15,000 people die of cancer every year.
Notably, last year, Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu, who was successfully treated for brain cancer in India, revealed that he met nine Kenyan MPs and four Senators in the Asian country, who were equally seeking treatment for the deadly disease.
