Lawyer Donald Kipkorir has sparked a fresh debate after publicly questioning Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga’s account of her reported 12-year cancer journey.
Kipkorir’s remarks came shortly after Wanga opened up about her battle with cancer while commissioning the Phoebe Asiyo Oncology Centre at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The governor’s disclosure attracted attention because of the length of time she said she has lived with the disease, as well as her decision to speak about the experience while launching a facility dedicated to cancer care.
Wanga said she was diagnosed years ago and recalled telling her family about her condition, only for some of her relatives to break down in tears.
She said she chose to remain strong and grateful to God throughout the journey, adding that she had access to medical care at a time when many Kenyans struggle to obtain specialised cancer treatment.
But Kipkorir has now questioned aspects of the governor’s account, particularly the timeline of her diagnosis.
“HE Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Governor told us in 2014 she had cancer! Today, she told us she has cancer!” Kipkorir said.
The lawyer subsequently brought his own family experience into the debate, recalling the death of his mother after she was diagnosed with Stage Four cancer.
Kipkorir said his family spent millions of shillings seeking treatment at several hospitals, including St Luke’s Hospital in Eldoret, Nairobi Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital.
He claimed that they later travelled to BLK-Max Hospital in Delhi, India, where doctors told them his mother had only weeks to live and, according to him, declined to take their money because they did not believe further treatment would help.
“My beloved mum died in Doha, Qatar on our way back,” Kipkorir said.
The lawyer then challenged Wanga to provide further information about her medical history.
“Let her be candid and publish her cancer medical records from 2014 to-date!” he said, while accusing the governor of using the issue for political purposes.
Kipkorir also questioned whether someone could live with cancer for 12 years, particularly in relation to advanced-stage disease.
“You can’t have cancer for 12 years! And not Stage 3 or 4,” he stated.
His remarks have generated debate over Wanga’s disclosure and the wider understanding of cancer progression.
Medical outcomes, however, vary significantly depending on the cancer type, stage, biological characteristics, treatment and a patient's response to therapy. A Stage Four diagnosis does not automatically mean that a patient has only weeks to live.
Wanga has previously spoken publicly about her cancer experience. In 2019, she disclosed that she had been diagnosed with Stage Four colorectal cancer and used her experience to advocate for early detection and improved access to treatment.
Her latest disclosure came as Homa Bay expanded its oncology infrastructure through the Phoebe Asiyo centre, highlighting the governor's stated commitment to bringing specialised cancer services closer to residents.
The exchange between Wanga and Kipkorir has consequently placed both the governor’s personal cancer journey and the broader challenge of cancer treatment in Kenya under renewed public scrutiny.