#141: Navigating MS in Kenya: Faith, Advocacy, and Health Equity with Rev. Kipchirchir Kigen

MS-Perspektive - The Multiple Sclerosis Podcast

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10d ago 59:05

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👉 For a full deep-dive into this conversation, including all details, quotes, links and context, please visit the accompanying blog article on https://ms-perspektive.com/141-kenya.

MS in Kenya is likely severely underdiagnosed. The Atlas of MS lists only around 200 known cases in a country of almost 58 million people — yet access to neurologists, MRI scans and specialist care is extremely limited, especially in rural regions. Many families must prioritise basic needs like food over long and costly medical journeys, leaving countless people undiagnosed. In some communities, MS-like symptoms are still linked to witchcraft, leading to stigma, social exclusion or even abandoned marriages.

In this episode, Rev. Kipchirchir Kigen — reverend, public health practitioner and advocate — explains why MS remains largely invisible in Kenya and how he works with religious leaders and communities to replace fear with understanding. He also shares his own long journey with neurological symptoms, misdiagnoses and the struggle to access care.

We discuss:

Why MS is likely far more common in Kenya than official numbers suggest
What the journey to diagnosis looks like in a low-resource setting
How stigma and misconceptions affect people with neurological symptoms
The role of churches and community leaders in creating awareness
Rev. Kigen's personal story of uncertainty, resilience and advocacy
What needs to change in Kenya's health system to improve MS care

Mentioned resources:

Atlas of MS
MS organisations and foundations in Kenya
Global MS community & MS International Federation
"Understanding MS" online course (Menzies Institute, Tasmania)

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