Musician walks 170km, wants cancer declared national disaster

Biez Kaviru, during his 170-km walk challenge.

Kamba musician Biez Kaviru on Saturday began a 170-kilometre trek from Kitui to Nairobi, to deliver a petition to President William Ruto calling on him to declare cancer a national disaster.

According to Kaviru, the walk represents the voices, hopes and heartbreak of Kenyans affected by cancer and is meant to compel urgent state action on the disease.

“To show my commitment, I will take a challenge of walking from kitui to Nairobi all the way to the office of the president to petition for cancer to be declared a national disaster,” he said.

During the walk, Kaviru carried a board designed as a letter envelope branded "To the president of republic of Kenya He Dr. William Samoei Ruto". His appeal is grounded in the belief that cancer in Kenya has grown into a collective crisis demanding a coordinated national response, not just individual resilience.

A disaster declaration, he says, would unlock urgent funding, strong policy frameworks, nationwide awareness campaigns, improved access to treatment and support for research, making care more affordable for all citizens, rich or poor.

“Let us fight this menace with the same agency we give to floods drought or pandemics with the aim of savings lives and restoring hope,”he added.

Biez Kaviru lifts the branded envelope directed to president Ruto during his walk.

Musician Biez Kaviru has started a 170-kilometre trek from Kitui county to Nairobi to deliver a petition to President William Ruto, urging him to declare cancer a national disaster.

Kaviru said the walk, which started on Saturday, represents the voices, hopes and heartbreak of Kenyans affected by cancer.

“To show my commitment, I have taken on the challenge of walking from Kitui to Nairobi, all the way to the Office of the President, to petition him to declare cancer a national disaster,” he said.

The musician is undertaking the walk while holding a board designed like a letter envelope bearing the message: “To the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto.”

Kaviru said a disaster declaration would unlock urgent funding, strengthen policy frameworks, drive nationwide awareness campaigns, improve access to treatment and support research, making cancer care more affordable for all citizens, regardless of income.

“Let us fight this menace with the same urgency we give to floods, droughts or pandemics, with the aim of saving lives and restoring hope,” he said.

Data from the Ministry of Health and global compilations show that between 44,000 and 45,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Kenya, with about 29,000 deaths recorded each year.

Projections suggest new cases could rise to 58,000 per year by 2028, driven by population growth, ageing, urban lifestyle changes and improved detection.

Despite this growing burden, Kenya continues to face critical gaps in early diagnosis, screening and treatment capacity, with many patients presenting at advanced stages, when outcomes are poor and care costs are high.

Kaviru said his walk amplifies the voices of cancer survivors, patients and bereaved families. He also aims to raise public awareness and mobilise policymakers into action.

Along the route, Kaviru has engaged members of the public, with some joining him for parts of the journey and others offering support.

By Sunday, he had already reached Machakos county.