Kibra MP Ken Okoth says he is a humorist. And in a humour-laden fight against the dreaded Colorectal Cancer, he is giving Kenyans courage to face the scourge.
Unlike most prominent Kenyans who have crept abroad in the dead of the night to receive cancer treatment, Okoth has used every opportunity to mock cancer, something that has caught the attention of Kenyans.
Before Okoth went public on his diagnosis, most politicians used to be secretive about their fight of the disease.
Speaking to Standard Digital on phone, Kasipul MP Ongondo Were praised the MP for being bold and wished him a quick recovery.
“He has made cancer a joke and now people can take to social media to belittle the disease which is a positive step,” said Were.
He urged the government to invest in cancer healthcare facilities and put more emphasis on primary care to help poor Kenyans access cancer treatment in the country.
Homa Bay Women Rep Gladys Wanga, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2014 says the disease has become a major killer in the country because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
She wants the Cancer Prevention and Control Bill to be amended to have cancer as a component under primary health care.
In a raft of proposals that she presented before the National Assembly Health Committee last week, Wanga wants the government to train more oncologists to deal with cancer.
“I would want each county to have at least one oncologist. The government should embark on funding training for oncologists so that we get more of them who can actually tell at an early age that indeed someone has cancer,” she said.
New found hope
As Kenyans were mourning Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, who also succumbed to blood cancer, photos of the jovial, but frail Okoth emerged online.
The MP made a public appearance when he visited Kenya's ambassador to France Judi Wakhungu in her office.
The photo was the second one after another one the MP posted on his twitter handle in March.
In February this year, Okoth revealed his Cancer diagnosis saying the condition was discovered late and that it could not be cured but only managed
In March, the 41-year-old legislator took to his Twitter to give an update on his continued fight against cancer.
“Napambana na hali yangu kabisa. (I’m fighting with it). Chemo drugs are brutal on the skin and immunity system.” he tweeted.
Since he was diagnosed with cancer, courage and a smile have never deserted him even when he admitted how painful the chemotherapy is.
His courage has now seen Nairobi governor pledged to fly some of the MP’s constituents to France to go see him.
On his Facebook page, the governor assured the Kibra MP that Nairobi residents were praying for him, citing that he would send a few from his constituency to visit him.
"I shall be willing to sponsor and lead a delegation of pastors, imams and a few Kibra constituents to visit him in France and pray for our beloved MP. Get Well Soon Bro. Just continue believing in God," Sonko noted.
Kenyans in their numbers took to social media to pray and encourage the MP.
“The resilience and the way this man has accepted his condition is so sweet, some could be in deep denial by now. I am so honoured with your determination and courage to serve your people,” James Jakadibo wrote on Twitter.
“Brother Ken Okoth, We are with you in Prayers. You shall overcome,” another one wrote.
“What to say! Ken you remain a hero. May your anchor hold,” said Wakariti.
“Cancer is a serious disease but a positive mental attitude can reduce the stress impact. Hon Okoth has a very strong will, an attitude one needs to survive this scourge. I pray that the Almighty helps him and ease the pain and anxiety. Kenyans are praying for him,” Simba Gulei.
Others even added bible verses for the MP to encourage him.
“Friday motivation for the MP comes Isaiah 40:29 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Keep fighting warrior! STRONG. We are not giving up on you sir.”
“We have faith and by the will of God all his plans will be completed as the previous were, No any other leader knows this hood Kibra and its people better than him. We shall overcome.”
“Praying for you Champ. You shall overcome. You a great leader mheshimiwa Ken Okoth,” wrote Daddy Owen.
