Human rights lawyer and outspoken public interest advocate Ndegwa Njiru has issued a hard-hitting statement directed at President William Ruto, stating that Singapore dreams cannot be met until the country streamlines its health challenges.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Njiru challenged the government’s development narrative, arguing that the country cannot talk about becoming a ‘Singapore’ while thousands of families are silently battling cancer with little support.

“Ruto, before you take us to your illusionary Singapore, first declare cancer as a National disaster,” Ndegwa Njiru wote

Njiru’s statement frames cancer not just as a medical issue, but as a national emergency demanding urgent intervention. Across the country, cancer wards are crowded, diagnostic machines are in short supply, and many patients are diagnosed too late.

“Create a cancer fund that will be geared towards eradicating cancer in the country,” he stated

The lawyer said this is the reality faced by ordinary Kenyans who struggle to afford chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and basic pain management, saying many depend on well-wishers or harambees, often with heartbreaking outcomes. A standalone fund, Njiru suggests, would mean predictable financing focused only on prevention, treatment, and long-term care.

“Separate the treatment of cancer from SHA,” he wrote

Njiru also questioned the current health financing structure, arguing that cancer care should not be lumped together with broader health schemes. Patients and families have repeatedly complained of delays, exclusions, and confusion, especially when time is critical and every day without treatment matters.

“Create in all counties cancer screening and treatment centres and make it mandatory for every Kenyan to undergo an annual cancer screening process,” he stated

Njiru argued that a major weakness in Kenya’s fight against cancer is that many patients only learn of their illness when it is already advanced, reducing chances of survival and increasing costs. County-level centres would bring services closer to the people.

“Ensure that the food that our people are consuming are free from carcinogenic traces,” he wrote

Njiru’s statement also widens the conversation to prevention, touching on food safety and long-term exposure to harmful substances that quietly put lives at risk.

“Ban any importation of farm chemicals that are causing cancer in the country,” the statement reads