Anyang' Nyong’o suggests perfect solution to cancer fight in Kenya

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o has urged the nation to invest more in research as opposed to building cancer centres in Kenya.

Speaking during the burial of Bomet Governor Dr Joyce Laboso in Fort Ternan on Saturday, Nyong’o appreciated efforts the government was making towards constructing cancer centres but said having cancer experts would go a long way.

He spoke about his journey with cancer and said having experts in various types of cancer would go a long way in ensuring the country does not lose more people to the disease.

"What is important is getting people who are specialized in different types of cancer. In developed countries we have specialists, we need to focus research, education and specialization.

"The big job is training and research. Universities should collaborate with counties and work together to develop human resource.

“With cancer centres only we’ll not get it right- it is important but we need to stop myths so that we deal with real issues," said Nyong'o.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday announced a raft of measures the government is taking to combat cancer including a plan to increase budgetary allocation.

The President made the announcement at the late Laboso’s funeral service in Bomet.

The Head of State said the budgetary increase is meant to scale up both preventative and curative cancer management services across the country.

Noting that the rising cancer cases in the country are getting out of hand, the Head of State said the government will increase the number of chemotherapy and radiology centres across the country to make the services more accessible.

“We will add three more radiology centres across the country. We will have one in Garissa, another one in Mombasa and the third one in Nakuru,” President Kenyatta announced.

“We will also have 10 more chemotherapy centres in Mombasa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Garissa, Nyeri, Nakuru, Meru and Machakos among other counties,” he continued.

The President who described the late Laboso as an astute servant leader and trailblazer disclosed that the Moi Teaching and Referal Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret will be upgraded to become a centre of excellence for cancer treatment and training for upcoming medical professionals in oncology so that they can help in the fight against the disease.