President Uhuru Kenyatta has affirmed the government will set aside more money to deal with cancer in the country. Speaking at the memorial service of the late Joyce Laboso in Bomet, President Kenyatta said three more radiology centres will be added countrywide, in Garissa, Mombasa and Nakuru. 10 more chemotherapy centres will also be added across the country, in Mombasa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Garissa, Nyeri, Nakuru, Meru and Machakos. “We will add the amount of money set aside by the government to deal with cancer so that Kenyans can be treated here,” he said.
He added that the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret will be upgraded to be a centre of excellence for cancer treatment and teaching oncology. Kenyatta University Hospital which is set to be opened will also have a facility to treat Kenyans who have cancer. Two more centres of excellence will also be set up at Kisii and Nyeri, and the Head of State said there will be enough manpower in the facilities, noting that 79 students, including upcoming radiologists, will be ready for duty. However, he has urged Kenyans to mind their lifestyle, saying that the issue about cancer is also about lifestyle, “Nowadays we have forgotten the foods we used to eat in the past,” he said, “Today one goes to the shops and buys processed foods…”
He eulogized the late Laboso as a leader who could juggle being a leader, a politician and a good friend. “It’s hard to find among politicians someone who understands politics, but is also a leader ad a close friend,” he said. Several leaders attended the memorial service on Friday, including Governors, Senators and Cabinet Secretaries. Speaking at the service, Deputy President William Ruto said the late Bomet Governor confirmed that women are equal to the task when they have the opportunity. He added that she proved what women leaders can do and there should ever be a discussion about how to reduce women leaders, “The only discussion there can is how to have more women leaders in our country.”
