A local celebrity has received backlash for spearheading a petition to collect signatures from Kenyans to have zero-rate tax on cancer drugs and medical equipment to make treatment of the plague affordable.
This wake-up call by radio personality Carol Radul which was received crudely by the masses came after prominent persons succumbed to cancer in the month of July. Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso died on Monday 29th July barely 2 days after Kibra MP Ken Okoth passed on. Also in the list is Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore who died at the beginning of the month.
Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso dies of Cancer at Nairobi Hospital. It’s time we declare CANCER as national disaster. It has robbed us very important people in Kenya this year. SAD!!! #RIPJoyceLaboso #RIPLaboso pic.twitter.com/uLlTW2JiBX
— Joseph Otieno 🇰🇪 (@jotieno_) July 29, 2019
So, in a span of 1 month, the country has lost 3 prominent leaders to cancer 😭😭😭.
Bob Collymore, Ken Okoth, and now Joyce Laboso. It’s about time @StateHouseKenya declares cancer a national disaster! #RIPLaboso pic.twitter.com/0xm47FcVlL— Tony Alfred (@Tonyalfred8) July 29, 2019
These notwithstanding, so many ordinary citizens have also succumbed to cancer with nobody talking about them. Bearing in mind that cancer medication is expensive and there are also limited facilities available.
Kenyans have felt that initiating a campaign now after a public figure has fallen is a mockery and total jokes to the destitute Kenyans who have been suffering all along from cancer.
Hi. I just signed the petition “Zero rate tax on cancer drugs and medical equipment to make treatment of cancer affordable.” Please add your name to this petition. Our goal is to reach 50,000 signatures. You can read more and sign the petition here: https://t.co/NIXcbToU1M
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) July 29, 2019
I’ll curse myself if some selfish Mongrel uses my signature now or in future to fill his/her pockets
— D’mon (@DesmondOMelly) July 29, 2019
Some feel that cancer is a death sentence and expressed their pessimism when one is diagnosed with the scourge.
Most people believe that the government will take the current legislatures death as a lesson to champion cancer awareness in the country.
Here is a video where Carol Radul shared her family’s experience with cancer.
What do you think the government should do to curb cancer?
RIP all cancer victims!