The Nairobi International School hosted its signature Soul 4 Soul fundraising event, bringing together the community for the shared mission of raising funds for cancer patients.
Soul 4 Soul has long been viewed as more than an ordinary concert, evolving into a philanthropic movement that channels its proceeds towards the Cancer Awareness Treatment and Supportive Initiative (CATSI), a non-profit organisation committed to creating awareness and supporting treatment efforts.
The event featured performances from students and local musicians, including Nviiri the Storyteller and singer Sage Chemutai.
Chemutai, who has served as CATSI’s artist ambassador since 2016, spoke emotionally about her dedication to the cause.
“like showing up, I like kids and because music heals, this initiative is personal to me because I have also lost a close loved one to the disease..” said the bubbly singer.
CATSI Kenya, founded in 2009, marked its 16th edition. During the event, CATSI ambassador Ruth Mutaka highlighted the organisation’s impact, noting that they have treated more than 30 patients, with 27 currently in remission, though they have sadly lost two.
“Patients are referred to us by the members of the society, then we do a thorough patient background check before moving forward…,” she explained.
The event followed closely after the conclusion of October’s Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and honouring those affected by the disease.
2025’s theme, Every story is unique, Every journey matters, underscored the personal and collective impact of cancer globally.
Reports indicate that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with nearly 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths recorded in 2022.
Projections suggest that by 2050, annual new cases could rise to 33 million, with cancer-related deaths reaching 18.2 million.
According to Kenya Cancer Statistics and National Strategies (KENCO), Kenya registers approximately 42,000–47,000 new cancer cases and more than 27,000 deaths annually.
Breast and cervical cancers are the most common, making cancer the country’s third leading cause of death and the top non-communicable disease.
Between 70–80 percent of cases are diagnosed at late stages, often due to limited awareness, poor screening, and restricted access to care, particularly in rural areas.
Some of the most common cancers include ovarian, breast, cervical, prostate, oesophageal and colorectal cancer.
Among women, breast, cervical and oesophageal cancers are most prevalent, while men are largely affected by prostate, oesophageal and colorectal cancers. Reproductive cancers, especially breast and cervical, account for nearly half of all cancer-related deaths in women.
Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among Kenyan women, recording about nine deaths per day. Despite this, it is considered 100 percent preventable and treatable through early screening.
However, late diagnosis, minimal access to specialists and treatment centres, lack of awareness, and high treatment costs continue to pose significant challenges for patients nationwide.