Sen. Kibwana Blasts Government Over Nairobi Floods and Skyrocketing Uterine Fibroid Cases Among Women
By Jeff Kizzilah/Digital Reporter
Sen. Kibwana
Senator Hamida Kibwana (Nominated) has sounded the alarm over two urgent national crises: the rising prevalence of uterine fibroids among Kenyan women and the persistent flooding in Nairobi due to drainage failures and poor urban planning.
The Senator highlighted that uterine fibroids—non-cancerous growths in the uterus—are increasingly affecting women aged 35–39, causing severe complications including heavy bleeding, chronic pain, anaemia, and infertility. Estimates indicate that 10–20% of Kenyan women may be affected, with treatment costs ranging between KES 100,000 and KES 500,000, placing care out of reach for many.
Sen. Kibwana urged the Standing Committee on Health to provide comprehensive data on prevalence, outline public awareness campaigns, expand early screening, fund research, and ensure affordable treatment under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Separately, the Senator raised concerns with the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing over Nairobi’s recurrent floods, worsened by blocked drainage, encroachment on riparian reserves, and lax urban planning. She cited the March 6, 2026 rains that paralyzed roads, damaged property, displaced residents, and disrupted economic activity across neighborhoods including Embakasi, Pipeline, Mukuru, Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, Umoja, and Westlands.
Sen. Kibwana demanded that authorities clarify immediate flood management efforts, including drainage clearance, rescue operations, reopening of roads, removal of illegal structures, and long-term urban planning to ensure climate-resilient infrastructure.
She stressed that as Kenya’s capital and economic hub, Nairobi requires urgent action to protect lives, property, and economic activity from recurring floods, while also addressing the growing health crisis among women nationwide.
