Murang'a: Kenyans have been urged to embrace regular cancer screening as a Murang'a man continues an unusual campaign to raise awareness on the disease. James Irungu had by the time of going to press clocked 65 hours of hugging a tree in Murang'a town in a bid to draw attention to cancer and its impact on families and society. He began the campaign at 9:27 pm on Sunday, January 4, 2026, and is expected to continue until 5.27 pm Thursday, January 8, 2026.
According to Kenya News Agency, Irungu says the initiative seeks to raise awareness about cancer, highlight its effects on individuals and families, and to push the government to declare the disease a national disaster, arguing that this would trigger greater attention and coordinated intervention. Speaking in Murang'a town, Dr. George Obonyo of the Texas Cancer Centre, who was among the many Kenyans who have turned up to support the cause, called on Kenyans to prioritize routine cancer screening, noting that early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.
Dr. Obonyo commended Irungu's efforts, describing cancer as a national burden and one of the leading causes of death in the country. He stated, 'Cancer is a burden and is now the third leading cause of death in Kenya. We show solidarity because of where we are as a country.' He noted that many patients seek medical care when the disease is already advanced, emphasizing that early diagnosis is critical.
He identified breast cancer as the leading cancer in Kenya, followed by cervical and prostate cancers. Other common cancers include esophageal, colorectal, stomach, leukemia, lymphoma, ovarian, and vaginal cancers. Dr. Obonyo encouraged Kenyans to take advantage of non-invasive screening methods, saying early checks are simple and accessible. He explained that self-breast examinations, blood tests for prostate cancer, Pap smears or HPV DNA tests for cervical cancer, and stool tests for colon cancer are available.
Dr. Obonyo pointed out that cervical cancer is one of the few preventable cancers, thanks to the availability of the HPV vaccine. He advised parents to take girls aged between 9 and 14 years for HPV vaccination, noting that the vaccine is free and available in all public health facilities. He added that cancer risk factors vary, with some linked to age, smoking, lifestyle, and genetics, stressing that routine screening remains one of the most effective tools in reducing cancer-related deaths.