Nyong’os and other prominent Kenyans spearheading fight against cancer in Kenya
By Luke Oluoch, November 2, 2025Cancer remains a major public health challenge in Kenya, ranked among the leading causes of death despite the collaborative measures by government and private entities to manage and limit the ravaging pangs of the disease to individuals and society.
While many high-profile politicians have lost their battles—such as former Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso and Kibra MP Ken Okoth— a cadre of prominent individuals have been actively involved in the fight against the disease in the country.
Some, as determined survivors, have stepped up the advocacy by leading efforts in awareness, policy advocacy, and support services.
Anyang Nyong’o, the current Kisumu governor, ranks among the most vocal politicians to champion the fight against the scourge.
Nyong’o was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. He sought treatment in San Francisco, US, and has since become a leader in advocating for cancer eradication in the country. He has urged the government to prioritize research, education, and specialisation as key strategies for eradicating the killer disease.
“The job is huge; let us train, do research, and make our universities do research. Developing human resources will help our fight against cancer,” Nyong’o stated in 2019 while burying the late Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso.
In January 2025, Nyong’o revisited the call for Kenyans to normalise regular health check-ups and encouraged continued collaboration among stakeholders to expand screening in underprivileged areas and reduce late-stage diagnoses.
“Cancer is an insidious disease that is not easily discovered. Kenyans must be sensitised on the importance of screening to enable early detection and timely treatment, which can save lives,” he advised.
“With the robust health system Kenya now has, every citizen should make it a priority to go for a check-up at least once a year to understand their health status,” Nyong’o said.
“This is the only way we can prevent cases of late detection of chronic illnesses such as cancer that often result in death,” he added.
Beth Mugo
The former nominated Senator and founder of the Beth Mugo Cancer Foundation successfully battled breast cancer diagnosed in 2010 and has openly shared her recovery story. To advocate for the fight against the disease,
Mugo established the Beth Mugo Cancer Foundation, where she raises awareness and conducts screenings for breast and cervical cancer among women and prostate cancer among men, respectively.
The politician considers herself fortunate, attributing her victory over the disease to early detection.
“My fight with cancer was heavy; it was quite an experience, moments of doom thinking, is this it? Am I going to get through it? I started the Beth Mugo Cancer Foundation, which screens for cancer.”
“The secret is screening, being found early, because cancer doesn’t hurt in the early stages. When they catch it early, before it gets into the blood, the doctors say it is easier to cure. That is what happened to me. I was very fortunate,” she told a local TV station during a past interview.
Dorothy Nyong’o, the First Lady of Kisumu County and Managing Trustee of the Africa Cancer Foundation, has stood alongside her husband, the Governor of Kisumu.
Similar to the Beth Mugo Foundation, she has spearheaded advocacy for breast and cervical cancer screening in Western Kenya and co-founded initiatives for policy reform and community education, with a focus on reducing late-stage diagnoses.
Milicent Kagonga
The little-known cancer survivor was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer at the age of 25.
Kagonga has emerged as a leading advocate in the fight against the disease with her outreach efforts to society. She also runs campaigns on the HPV vaccine as an ambassador.
Others in medical practice leading the effort include Miriam Mutebi and Orora Mangara. Mutebi is a Consultant Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.
As of July 2024, Mutebi was co-chair of the National Cancer Taskforce in Kenya, chair of the Commonwealth Taskforce for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, and a commissioner with five Lancet commissions, including Women, Power and Cancer; Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa; and Breast Cancer.