ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, claimed to have kickstarted an elaborate plan to combat cancer, as far back as eight years ago.
Speaking on Saturday, during the burial of the late Bomet Governor, Joyce Laboso, the opposition leader stated that his plans were shot down by a section of the cabinet.
"When we were in government, Professor Anyang' Nyong'o came up with a programme to create a centre of excellence, a centre for research and management for diseases like cancer," he narrated.
The Ksh22 billion cancer facility was to be implemented by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) during Raila's tenure as the Prime Minister in the grand coalition government, the Standard reported.
However, according to Raila, the detailed plan was scrapped by some members of the Cabinet on the grounds that it was well outside the mandate of the NHIF.
"There was even land that had been identified for it. But because of ignorance, it was opposed by other members of Cabinet and it never saw the light of day," he explained.
The AU envoy made his remarks in support of Kisumu Governor, Anyang' Nyong'o, who had urged the President to revisit the plan in order to curb the cancer menace.
Nyong'o went on to implore the government to focus on research and personnel in the fight against cancer, instead of equipment and facilities.
"Cancer doctors are desperately required and they should be the main focus before establishing the centres," he stated.
Raila echoed his sentiments, adding that more needed to be done to tackle the disease which was now claiming up to 90 Kenyan lives every day.
