Wajir County First Lady, Rukia Abdinasir, has called for stronger community efforts to protect young girls from cervical cancer.
Speaking on Monday during a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Health, experts from the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (KePREC), and leaders from Mandera, Wajir, and Isiolo counties, she highlighted the life-saving benefits of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Mrs. Abdinasir urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to work together in the fight against cervical cancer, stressing that it is one of the few cancers that can be almost fully prevented with the vaccine.
“Cervical cancer is silently taking the lives of too many women and girls. Yet, it is one of the few cancers we can almost completely prevent,” she said. “The HPV vaccine offers up to 99% protection. But what good is a life-saving vaccine if our girls never receive it?”
The First Lady also addressed concerns about vaccine hesitancy, especially in rural and conservative communities. Speaking as a mother and a woman of faith, she assured the audience that the vaccine is safe.
“The HPV vaccine is safe,” she said, and added that the government, through Dr. Isaak Bashir, Head of Family Health at the Ministry of Health, has confirmed its safety and effectiveness.
The vaccine is aimed at girls aged 9 to 14 because it works best before any exposure to HPV, the main cause of cervical cancer. Vaccinating girls at this age ensures they are protected at the most vulnerable time of their lives.
She expressed her concern that misinformation, especially in Muslim and nomadic communities, is putting lives at risk.
“Parents and guardians act out of love and protection, but sometimes fear clouds the truth. We must not let misinformation stand in the way of our daughters’ health,” she said.
IN PICTURES: Wajir County First Lady Rukia Abdinasir today joined Ministry of Health officials, Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium experts, and local leaders in Mandera, Wajir, and Isiolo counties in a united call to protect girls from cervical cancer… pic.twitter.com/xdVrQdaNPU
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) July 21, 2025
She further stressed the need to overcome cultural fears and misinformation about the vaccine.
“We must not let misinformation stand in the way of our daughters’ health,” she repeated.
Dr. Isaak Bashir also agreed with Mrs. Abdinasir, saying local leaders, including religious scholars, have a key role in educating communities about the vaccine.
“We need to ensure every girl is protected,” he said. “This is a matter of life and death, and we must all come together.”
The event also highlighted the importance of community education, with religious leaders playing a major role in addressing cultural concerns about the vaccine.
While the Ministry of Health has made progress in vaccinating girls across Kenya, challenges remain, particularly in reaching remote areas. Mrs. Abdinasir concluded by urging everyone to take responsibility for the health of the next generation.
“We all have a responsibility to protect the health of our daughters and make sure they have the chance to live healthy, long lives.” With cervical cancer being a leading cause of death for women in Kenya, especially in rural areas, the need for more vaccination efforts is urgent.
The First Lady’s message serves as a reminder that the whole community must come together to protect the next generation.
