The current National Assembly has suffered a big blow as four of its members have succumbed to cancer.
The latest victim being Kibra MP Hon Ken Okoth who passed away on Friday afternoon.
Black cloud engulfed the country as the sad news of Okoth’s death was released. This immediately sparked questions on why the trend has been common among the legislatures with no consequential cancer campaign done to curb the monster.
Okoth who has been described as one of the finest MPs in Kenya had been battling stage IV colorectal cancer at Nairobi Hospital where he was admitted after returning to the country from France.
Sad news from Nairobi Hospital. Kibra MP Ken Okoth has just succumbed to Cancer. The 41-year-old super legislator becomes the 4th MP in current Parliament to die if cancer. Ben Oluoch, Grace Kipchoim and Francis Nyenze succumbed to cancer in the last two years. #RIPKenOkoth pic.twitter.com/FaGmfHFXt6
— Abuga Makori EGH, MBE (@o_abuga) July 26, 2019
Here is a video of Okoth’s speech during the last public function he attended at Moi Girls School in Nairobi.
In December 2017, Kitui West MP and Former Environment, Heritage and Sports minister Francis Nyenze also succumbed to colon Cancer aged 60.
Nyenze battled cancer for over 10 years and in a very shocking instance, he was sworn in to Parliament with an oxygen tank strapped on his body. He died while undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Hospital.
Migori Senator Ben Oluoch succumbed to throat cancer while receiving treatment at the MP Shah hospital, Nairobi in June 2018. Before his death he underwent cancer treatment in India.
It is with profound sadness that I have learnt of the demise of Migori Sen Ben Oluoch Okello. On behalf of the entire NASA fraternity I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, the people of Migori County and the ODM party. May his soul rest in peace.
— Norman Magaya (@amugira) June 19, 2018
Baringo South MP Grace Kipchoim also died after a long battle with colon cancer in April 2018 at the Nairobi Hospital at the age of 49.
Ms Kipchoim died while serving her second term in Parliament.
She suffered from acute colon cancer for close to two years.
Her case was discovered while already at stage four and underwent at least five operations in and outside Kenya.
Apart from politicians, Kenya has lost several other notable people to cancer. In July 1st 2019 the country was in grief for losing Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore due to the plague.
These are some notable Kenyans we’ve lost to cancer. Cancer is real and doesn’t discriminate. Let’s openly talk about it and it together. One month in a year is not enough!
1. Janet Ikua
2. David Mwiraria
3. Nderitu Gachagua
4. Francis Nyenze pic.twitter.com/1aaYZUu3uh— King Fred Asira (@KingFredAsira) January 15, 2019
May their souls rest in Eternal Peace!