Health status of public figures shrouded in mystery

The silence over the health and well-being of public figures — ministers, governors, as well as presidents and their spouses — have oftentimes spurred speculation and suspicion from the public.

National leaders are considered superior beings and there is an illusion of strength and excellent health. No wonder when they become ill, the situation becomes magnified.

When this happens, the public figure or their family members try to keep these ailments a secret.

This was the case with Mama Lucy Kibaki, whose family in March said she was going through mere routine check-ups, even when it was known that she was receiving critical care at Nairobi Hospital.

Another case is that of former Vice-President Michael Wamalwa Kijana, whose ill health led to repeated admission to hospital in London.

This kindled rumours that his health was worse than his doctors had been letting out. Sadly, he died at the Royal Free Hospital in London on August 23, 2003.

The families’ actions are understandable considering that a patient has a right to privacy about their condition. But as public figures, their well-being is a matter of public interest.

The public’s quest to get information on the sudden death of Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo, for instance, sparked unease over what information can and should be made public.

In the cases of Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o and nominated Senator Beth Mugo, the situation was different. They held back nothing about their cancer diagnosis and treatment. This prompted discussions on cancer, the need for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Prof Nyong’o disclosed his battle with prostate cancer in February 2011, seven months after it was diagnosed.

In an interview with the Nation, he said: “My first reaction was shock, of course. I was also rather angry because I thought I should have done the biopsy much earlier to reduce the risk of the cancer going to its secondary stage.”

He added: “I feel confident that I am conquering the beast (through radiation sessions), with minimal side effects. I will be home soon, by the grace of God.”

For Ms Mugo, she publicly disclosed her diagnosis in 2012 but spoke in depth about her experience with breast cancer last year, during the ninth Stop Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer in Africa Conference in Nairobi.

She said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and asked her doctor to “keep my file under lock and key”.

“When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, you feel this is it. I am going to die. You have to come out of that shock fast enough to be able to confront what’s ahead of you,” she said.

She added: “When I went public, I wondered if this was the right thing I should have done.”

She was glad she did.

“It reduced stigma in society. Cancer is a disease like any other. We shouldn’t be surprised that one has cancer.”