MP Ken Okoth shares update on his battle with cancer

Kibra Member of Parliament Ken Okoth is battling colorectal cancer with every fiber in his body, and he seems to be approaching it with a lot of optimism.

Mr Okoth revealed his cancer diagnosis in February, indicating that the condition was discovered at an advanced stage that cannot be cured, but only managed.

On Tuesday, the 41-year-old legislator took to his Twitter to give an update on his continued fight against cancer.

“Napambana na hali yangu kabisa. (I’m fighting with it). Chemo drugs are brutal on the skin and immunity system,” tweeted the lawmaker.

He was responding to a Twitter user who had inquired about his condition.

Kenyans rallied behind the legislator wishing him well.

Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, in his wishes, asked Mr Okoth to be “strong and courageous.”

“Dearest Ken, our thoughts are with you as you battle with this disease. The whole of Kenya is behind you and sends you strength. You’re a fighter and I’ve no doubt that you will defeat it and emerge the victor. Be strong and courageous.”

Colorectal cancer, which develops from both the colon and rectum, is regarded as the second and third leading cause of cancer deaths in women and men.

Before the diagnosis, Mr Okoth told The Standard newspaper how had been kept on ulcer and bacterial infection treatment for about a year, not knowing he had cancer. He had also been put on pills to manage stress and anxiety.

Since his diagnosis, he has been pushing for the improvement of healthcare in Kenya, narrating how he was forced to seek treatment in Europe since Kenya has few facilities providing care for patients, whose cancer conditions are at an advanced stage.

Given a choice to either go to the US or Europe, he settled for Europe since his wife is from Europe and he could easily get a residence permit, hence cheaper.

Last year, Mr Okoth was put through rigorous treatment that combined radio and chemotherapy to avert the impending risk of organ failure.