Cancer has increasingly become a silent killer in Kenya, cutting across all sectors of society, including the country’s political elite.
Over the past decade, a growing number of prominent Kenyan politicians have lost their lives to various forms of cancer, highlighting both the devastating impact of the disease and the challenges facing the country’s healthcare system.
These high-profile deaths have not only left a gap in leadership but have also sparked national conversations about cancer awareness, early detection, and access to treatment.
Here are some of the Kenyan politicians who died and lost their lives as a result of Cancer.
Joyce Laboso
The late Joyce Laboso was born on November 25, 1960. She was a trailblazing Kenyan leader who served as the Member of Parliament for Sotik, later made history as the first female Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and ultimately became one of the country’s first female governors when she was elected to lead Bomet County.
In May 2019, she sought treatment in the United Kingdom and India before returning to Kenya in July. She was admitted to Nairobi Hospital, where she passed away on July 29, 2019, at the age of 58.
Her Deputy, Hillary Barchok, was later sworn in as the governor of Bomet.
Nderitu Gachagua
Nderitu Gachagua was the governor of Nyeri and a brother to the 2nd Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua. He was born on July 29, 1953, in Hiriga village Mathira in Nyeri.
Nderitu pursued a degree in Building Economics at the University of Nairobi, graduating in 1976. He began his career in the Ministry of Public Works as a quantity surveyor and eventually rose to become the Provincial Quantity Surveyor.
Nderitu Gachagua joined politics in 2003 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Mathira Constituency, serving until 2007.
In 2013, he made history by becoming the first governor of Nyeri County under Kenya’s new devolved system of government. He was elected on a Grand National Unity (GNU) party ticket, with Wamathai Samuel Githaiga as his deputy.
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Gachagua battled pancreatic cancer for two years before he passed away on February 24, 2017, while receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He was 64 years old at the time of his death.
Following his death, Deputy Governor Wamathai Samuel Githaiga was sworn in as the second governor of Nyeri County, in accordance with the Kenyan Constitution.
Ken Okoth
Ken Okoth served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kibra Constituency in Nairobi from 2013 until he died in 2019. He was a loyal member of Orange Democratic Party (ODM) and was widely respected for his progressive leadershi.
He championed initiatives such as the “Elimu Kwanza” (Education First) program, aiming to improve access to quality education for underprivileged children.
In early 2019, Okoth publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer, a condition that had been misdiagnosed for over a year as ulcers and bacterial infections.
Despite undergoing aggressive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the cancer had metastasized to his liver. He continued to serve his constituents and remained active in public life until his health deteriorated. Ken Okoth passed away on July 26, 2019, at the age of 41, due to complications from the disease.
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai was born on April 1, 1940, in Nyeri.
She was an environmentalist, human rights advocate, and the founder of the Green Belt Movement, playing a key role in promoting conservation and women’s empowerment.
She passed away on September 25, 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya, after battling ovarian cancer.
Grace Kipchoim
Grace Jelagat Kipchoim was born on January 3, 1962, and served as the Member of Parliament for Baringo South Constituency. She was first elected in 2013 under the United Republican Party (URP) and re-elected in 2017 on a Jubilee Party ticket.
Kipchoim was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2014 and underwent treatment both locally and abroad. Her illness limited her ability to campaign during the 2017 general elections
However, her strong development record and commitment to addressing issues such as insecurity, cattle rustling, and female genital mutilation earned her the trust and support of her constituents, leading to her re-election.
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She passed away on April 20, 2018, at Nairobi Hospital after a prolonged battle with colon cancer.
Francis Nyenze
Nyenze was born on June 2, 1957, in Kabati, Kitui. He served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kitui West Constituency and held various ministerial positions during his career. He was first elected in 1997 on a KANU ticket and served until 2002.
He was re-elected in 2013 and served until his death in 2017.
The legislator was diagnosed with colon cancer in late 2007 and underwent surgery in January 2008 and continued treatment, including monthly radiotherapy sessions in India.
In late 2016, the cancer spread to his lungs, complicating his health further.
Despite his condition, he participated in the 2017 general elections, during which he contracted pneumonia, exacerbating his respiratory issues.
He was hospitalized at The Nairobi Hospital and passed away on December 6, 2017, at the age of 60.
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