M-Pesa Foundation, in collaboration with Zuri Health and the Taita Taveta County Government, held a free medical camp in Voi, Taita Taveta benefiting over 3,000 residents.
The camp at Moi Stadium in Voi offered a broad range of services, including cancer screenings, blood pressure and sugar checks, eye and dental care, fistula screening, reproductive health services, and general consultations.
George Gathua, Manager of Foundations Finance, mentioned that this is the 26th camp since the initiative began, with plans to expand to all 47 counties.
As part of their focus on health, education, and economic empowerment, Gathua explained that the Foundation has chosen three counties with the highest cancer burden in which Taita Taveta, Murang’a, and Homa Bay forms part of medical camps during this Cancer Awareness Month.
Gathua revealed that while the average cost of a medical camp is around Sh. 5 million, this month’s camps have cost up to Sh. 8 million.
“We always aim to serve at least 3,000 people per camp, though attendance can vary,” said Gathua.
“We will be doing follow-ups. We have partnered with county hospitals to ensure continuity of care. After we finish, we won’t just leave people. Those diagnosed with conditions will be followed up,” he added.
He also noted that those diagnosed with diabetes will receive medication for up to three months.
Speaking to Tsavo Media Network, Dr. Buka Otieno of Zuri Health emphasized the fight against misinformation, noting that many rural residents still associate cancer with witchcraft or curses.
“The main aim of this camp is to combat the lack of knowledge. Many people, especially in rural areas, are unaware of cancer and believe it’s caused by witchcraft or curses,” said Dr. Otieno.
He added that the camp was screening for various cancers, including cervical, breast, prostate, and colon cancer.
According to him, after screening, the foundation will identify those in urgent need of support to ensure they receive proper treatment.
He also called on the government to employ and empower Community Health Providers, saying they are key in raising awareness about cancer and other health issues.
“Lack of sensitization has been a major setback in the fight against cancer and has made most of the people to suffer. If there is sensitization, then it is very minimal. I therefore call upon the government to consider empowering the community health providers so that they can help in sensitizing the people,” he stated, noting that most people in the community resonate well with what their fellows from the same community are telling them compared to what someone from outside tells them.
Dr. Tracy Rura, a clinical oncologist present at the camp, praised the large turnout. She emphasized that breast cancer remains the leading cancer in women, while prostate cancer is the most common in men.
“Early screening is crucial. When detected early, patients respond faster to treatment compared to those diagnosed at a later stage,” said Dr. Rural.
She encouraged regular cancer screenings for both men and women.
“For women above 40, we recommend clinical breast exams and mammograms. Those under 40 can benefit from ultrasounds,” she said, adding that cancer now ranks third after infectious and cardiovascular diseases in Kenya.
Taita Taveta County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Gifton Mkaya, applauded the residents for their participation, noting that the camp had drawn people from across the county.
“Based on previous camps, we’ve never seen numbers like today. We had a target of 3,000, but we expect to exceed that,” he said, adding that the county government is working to ensure that such initiatives take place frequently.
Mkaya also noted that those diagnosed will be enrolled in county clinics for ongoing care and treatment.
He highlighted the county’s disease burden, particularly cancer and hypertension, which disproportionately affect financially disadvantaged residents.
“The biggest problem that we have in this county is the disease burden. We have more cases of cancer and hypertension, but because most of the affected people are financially disadvantaged, they are even unable to get fare to go to the hospital and get diagnosed,” he added.
In response to the growing cancer burden, Mkaya stated that the county is fast-tracking the construction of a cancer center at Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi, expected to be completed in 12 weeks’ time.
“The project is progressing well, and we are working with partners to equip the facility,” Mkaya said.
Focus Wambua, a 42-year-old man from Taveta Sub County suffering from skin cancer, shared how the disease has disrupted his life for over a year and a half.
“Treatment has been expensive, and I even turned to herbal remedies, but nothing worked,” Wambua said.
He expressed relief at M-Pesa Foundation’s free medical camp, which offered him much-needed guidance at no cost.
“This medical camp is good because there is no money that I’m going to pay here. Going to hospital has been so expensive to the extent that sometimes I could not get money to facilitate my treatment,” he said.
Esther Mwachofi, a cancer survivor, recalled how her first symptoms were mistaken for pregnancy.
A scan revealed a growth in her fallopian tube, and further treatment uncovered additional tumors in her ovaries and womb that lead to her losing the womb.
Despite these challenges, she underwent surgery and completed her treatment in 2014. Today, at 37, Mwachofi is cancer-free and thriving.
“Cancer is not the end of life. I was diagnosed at just 23, but with the right treatment and support, I am healthy today. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these free camps and know their health status,” she said.
Mwachofi urged residents to attend the M-Pesa Foundation medical camp and heed the advice provided for by the doctors.
