Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, on Friday, October 18, opened up about his mother's tough battle with cancer.
The second-term governor was speaking during the launch of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at Ziwani Primary School when he let it slip that he lost his mother to the killer disease.
Joho explained that he didn't take cancer lightly because of the anguish that his family went through.
"Many people might think I'm joking around but they have probably not seen or lost someone close to them to cancer. Talk to us. I lost my mother to cancer," he began.
Further, Joho cautioned people aginst bring politics into the vaccination drive, adding that it would help them beat cervical cancer which is a leading cause of deaths among women in Kenya.
"We should have started the vaccination a long time ago but a lot of our people are only looking for opportunities to oppose it but let me tell you, cancer is a bad thing, my friend.
''People should not be discouraged from being vaccinated because it has side effects. What's more important is to weigh what is easier, dealing with the side effects or losing a life," the governor averred.
The vaccine was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta who urged Kenyans to live a healthy lifestyle, seek appropriate screening services and control the use of harmful substances.
“Life and health of Kenyans is not something to play around with. We are fighting in political platforms, religious places forgetting the importance of this vaccine.
I am glad that faith-based organisations are now here with us spearheading this vaccine,” Uhuru stated.
Watch the video below courtesy on Daily Nation:
