Embu governor Cecily Mbarire has called for concerted efforts in the elimination of cervical cancer in the country.
Mbarire who spoke during a cervical cancer stakeholders forum in Nairobi said despite the civil society doing a lot in the creation of awareness, little is being done by the political leaders to ensure the campaign is successful.
She has pledged to rally the council of governors in ensuring advocacy and resource mobilisation are given priority by all counties as one of the steps in eliminating the burden of cancer in the country.
"I am going to be a champion in the council of governors. Civil society is doing much but little is known. We need to call everyone to act on this matter," Mbarire said.
During the celebration to mark cancer awareness in Embu county, 365 women were screened for cervical cancer out of whom six tested positive and were put on treatment.
The governor has further challenged civil society to work with the women parliamentarians to ensure advocacy.
She has attributed low awareness to the fact that only seven out of the 47 elected governors are female.
"Level of awareness is low because most of them are men and do not understand the burden of cervical cancer among women," she said.
