Karen Nyamu submits endometriosis motion in Senate as Natalie Githinji battles stage 4
By Valerian Khakayi, August 21, 2026Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has submitted a motion in the Senate seeking the establishment of a national framework to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of endometriosis in Kenya.
A move that comes as media personality Natalie Githinji continues to battle stage 4 endometriosis.
The Motion, submitted on Thursday, August 20, 2026, calls for coordinated action by the national government through the Ministry of Health to address gaps in diagnosis, specialist care, financing and data on the chronic gynaecological condition.
“Today, I submitted a draft motion on endometriosis to the Senate for formal drafting and refinement. The most urgent things we need to do are clear: develop a national framework for endometriosis care, backed by proper data,” Nyamu wrote.
Motion
Nyamu’s Motion notes that endometriosis causes severe pain, infertility and other complications that can significantly affect the health, education, employment and economic wellbeing of women and girls.
It further highlights concerns that symptoms are often normalised or misdiagnosed, resulting in delays before patients receive a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
The motion also points to a lack of adequate national data on the prevalence and burden of endometriosis in Kenya.
According to Nyamu, the data gap makes it difficult for the country to effectively plan services, allocate resources, build specialist capacity and measure treatment outcomes.
The Senator has also raised concerns over the adequacy of Social Health Authority (SHA) benefits and private insurance coverage, particularly in covering the full cost of care for patients with complex endometriosis.
“Build capacity by training more gynaecologists specifically in endometriosis diagnosis, treatment and complex surgery. Fix the financing of endometriosis care by ensuring SHA and private insurers adequately cover diagnosis, treatment, surgery and long-term management,” she drafted.
National endometriosis framework
The motion urges the Ministry of Health to develop a National Endometriosis Management Framework supported by a national data and surveillance system.
The framework would establish standard diagnosis and referral pathways across all levels of healthcare, including for adolescents.
Nyamu is also calling for the government to expand specialist workforce capacity and infrastructure through funded training and the establishment of regional specialist centres.
The proposed measures would also include monitored waiting-time standards to improve access to care.
SHA and insurance coverage
Another key proposal is a review and strengthening of SHA and private insurance coverage for endometriosis.
The motion calls for the coverage to be informed by a full costing of the patient’s journey, taking into account the different stages of endometriosis care.
This includes diagnosis, treatment and management of complex cases.
Nyamu’s push comes amid calls from patients and health advocates for endometriosis to receive greater attention within Kenya’s healthcare system, particularly because delayed diagnosis and treatment can worsen the impact of the condition on patients’ lives.
Ministry of Health commitments
The motion further seeks accountability for previous commitments made by the Ministry of Health on endometriosis care.
Nyamu wants the Ministry to report to Parliament on the implementation of those commitments, with measurable national targets and annual reporting on progress.
Among the priorities she has highlighted are the establishment of specialised endometriosis centres, training more laparoscopic gynaecological surgeons, providing laparoscopic equipment and improving access to endometriosis medicines through social health insurance.
She is also calling for stronger public awareness through Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and the media.
“Follow through on the Ministry of Health’s 2024 commitments to establish specialised Endo Centres, train more laparoscopic gynaecological surgeons, provide laparoscopic equipment, make endometriosis medicines available through social health insurance, and strengthen awareness through CHPs and the media,” she wrote.
Four priorities for endometriosis care
Nyamu said the immediate priorities should be to develop a national framework backed by proper data, train more gynaecologists in endometriosis diagnosis, treatment and complex surgery, and address financing gaps.
She also called for the government to follow through on the Ministry of Health’s 2024 commitments on specialised centres, specialist training, equipment, medicines and awareness.
The Senator has invited views on the proposals, particularly from women living with endometriosis and doctors who treat the condition, as the motion proceeds through the formal drafting and parliamentary process.