Kenya is grappling with a growing cancer crisis, with a staggering 47,887 new cases and 32,987 deaths recorded in the country. According to the National Cancer Institute, this is a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to address the root causes of this disease.
As far back as 2010, the late Sammy Kioko Mangéli, then Managing Director of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), sounded the alarm on the dangers of aflatoxin in maize flour. In a prescient warning, Mangéli predicted that the effects of aflatoxin consumption would become evident in 10 to 15 years, with a surge in cancer cases.
‘I’m more than 100 per cent sure it (aflatoxin) affects people and that within the next 10 to 15 years we will have serious cases of cancer based on this maize,’ Mangéli said at the time.
Tragically, Mangéli’s warning fell on deaf ears. Instead of taking action to address the issue, KEBS was reportedly pressured to allow the consumption of contaminated maize. The consequences of this inaction are now starkly evident, with research showing that 79% and 83% of children under the age of five in Makueni and Nandi counties respectively tested positive for aflatoxin in 2017.
As the country grapples with the devastating impact of cancer, it is clear that the warning signs were there nine years ago. It is imperative that urgent action is taken to address the root causes of this disease and prevent further suffering.
