Kirinyaga County Woman Rep Njeri Maina speaks in Parliament on September 29, 2026/SCREENGRAB
Kirinyaga County Woman Rep Njeri Maina has called for urgent action to address the growing burden of endometriosis among women and girls in Kenya.
Njeri said endometriosis remains poorly understood, frequently misdiagnosed and often dismissed as ordinary menstrual pain, leaving many women to suffer for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
Making a General Statement in the National Assembly, Njeri said the condition affects approximately one in every 10 women and girls of reproductive age globally.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissues similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus. It can cause severe pelvic and menstrual pain, excessive bleeding, fatigue and, in some cases, infertility.
Njeri said many Kenyan women move from one health facility to another before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
“As a result, many women endure debilitating pain that cause them to miss educational and employment opportunities, lose income and suffer significant financial burdens in seeking appropriate medical care,” she said.
She said the lack of timely diagnosis and affordable treatment exposes affected women and their families to suffering, stigma and financial hardship.
“Endometriosis is therefore not merely a private medical concern, it is a public-health, social and economic issue that affects the dignity, equality and well-being of women and girls,” Njeri said.
The MP noted that women, particularly those outside major urban centres, face limited access to specialised diagnosis and treatment.
She called for endometriosis care to be integrated into the Universal Health Coverage agenda and appropriate coverage provided under the Social Health Authority.
Njeri also called for the decentralisation of diagnostic and specialised treatment services to county and regional referral facilities.
She said the measures should be supported by better training for healthcare workers, menstrual-health education and national research on the prevalence and socioeconomic impact of the condition.
The MP further called for clear guidelines on diagnosis, referral, treatment and long-term management of endometriosis.
“Our menstrual-health agenda should go beyond access to sanitary products,” she said.
Njeri said girls and women should be empowered to recognise that severe or incapacitating menstrual pain is not normal and should seek timely medical attention.
She also paid tribute to the late Mary Njambi Koikai, popularly known as Jahmby Koikai, for raising awareness about endometriosis through her public struggle with the condition.
She urged the Government to strengthen public awareness, promote early diagnosis and ensure treatment for endometriosis is accessible and affordable.