Governor Wanga Opens Up About Cancer Diagnosis

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has opened up about her personal experience with cancer, recounting the moment she received the diagnosis.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Phoebe Asiyo Oncology Center at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital (HBCTRH) on Thursday, August 27, Wanga recalled the emotional reaction from her family after she was diagnosed with cancer.

"[Following the diagnosis], I saw people crying everywhere, my family members, but I didn't cry because Senator Beth Mugo told me, it is your mind that will kill you, not the cancer," she said.

Wanga said she focused on being grateful for the opportunity to access treatment, noting that she was serving in Parliament at the time and was able to receive the medical care she needed.

“All I did was thank God, that time I was in Parliament, what if I did not have the opportunity to get treatment in the same way that I have?" she added.

Wanga said her experience has continued to shape her outlook years after her diagnosis, adding that she remains committed to ensuring residents of Homa Bay can access cancer services locally.

“All I did was thank God and in thanksgiving, 12 years later, I have not gone anywhere. This is personal to me, in Homa Bay, we are going to have all the facilities for diagnosis and treatment," she further said.

Wanga said the commissioning of the oncology centre marks an important step in strengthening cancer care in the region by ensuring patients can receive quality services closer to their homes and families.

"The commissioning sets a foundation for the cancer care journey for patients across the region, bringing high-quality, comprehensive and dignified cancer services closer to home," she noted.

According to Wanga, the centre will provide a wide range of services covering the cancer care process from early detection to treatment and supportive care, reducing the burden of travelling to facilities outside the county.

"From community screening and sample collection to proper diagnostics, confirmatory testing, specialist consultations, treatment, admissions, counselling and psychosocial support, and palliative care, this centre will provide end-to-end continuum of cancer care to patients closer to their families and support systems and is expected to reduce the need for external referrals by more than 90%," she added.

Wanga also credited partnerships with various institutions for supporting the development of the facility, saying the collaboration would improve the prospects of cancer patients in Homa Bay and neighbouring areas.

"The invaluable partnership with Aga Khan Hospital and Foundation, French Development Agency(AFD), the Gates Foundation and the National Cancer Institute has ensured that together, we can ensure cancer patients from the region have a real chance of looking ahead with optimism," she stated.

This comes months after the Social Health Authority (SHA) announced major changes to maternity, cancer, and sickle cell treatment benefits under the national health scheme. 

In a statement on Monday, May 11, SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi said the development follows directives from President William Ruto and resolutions passed during the intergovernmental summit between national and county governments. 

The authority noted that the revised packages were also informed by public participation and healthcare utilization data.

"As a culmination of His Excellency the President's Dr. William Samoei Ruto directive during the 2025 State of the Nation Address, the resolutions from the 12th Ordinary Session of the National and County Governments Coordinating Summit, and rigorous public participation and utilization data, the Social Health Authority (SHA) is pleased to announce the enhancement of selected health benefit packages," the statement read.

Under the revised maternity care package, all registered beneficiaries will now access free delivery services at Level 2 and Level 3 health facilities on a walk-in, walk-out basis. 

The services will be fully financed through the Primary Healthcare Fund allocation.

SHA stated that facilities will receive Ksh10,000 for normal deliveries and essential newborn care, while caesarean sections and newborn care will attract reimbursements of Ksh30,000.

The authority also expanded cancer treatment support, increasing the annual cancer benefits package from Ksh550,000 to Ksh800,000. 

Funding under the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund was also raised from Ksh150,000 to Ksh400,000 for chronic illnesses.

Patients will now benefit from oncology consultations capped at Ksh2,500 per visit, chemotherapy administration at Ksh5,500 per session, and radiotherapy at Ksh3,600 per session for up to 30 sessions.

The revised package further includes advanced diagnostic services such as CT scans at Ksh6,900, MRI scans at Ksh11,000, PET scans at Ksh53,500, and PSMA PET scans at Ksh64,200.

SHA also introduced coverage for specialized cancer therapies, including brachytherapy at Ksh40,000 for three sessions and SBRT/SBRS treatment of up to Ksh70,000 for five sessions.

Patients undergoing treatment will additionally receive supportive care medicines of up to Ksh10,000 and remission follow-up care guided by the Kenya Cancer National Treatment Protocols.

For sickle cell disease patients, SHA announced coverage for selected specialized procedures, including apheresis platelets at Ksh20,000 and red cell exchange at Ksh70,000, each covered up to three times within a policy period.