Kenyan YouTuber Iam Marwa has opened up about his personal views on cancer treatment, stating that he does not strongly believe in chemotherapy and instead supports alternative healing methods, which he regularly shares with cancer patients who reach out to him.
Speaking during a YouTube livestream on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Marwa revealed that he has created an Instagram group where he connects with individuals battling the disease, offering them advice and encouragement while also helping them explore different treatment options.
He disclosed that his involvement in supporting cancer patients was recently brought even closer to home after learning from his sister that a family friend named had been diagnosed with breast cancer, prompting him to reach out to her despite the fact that they had never previously spoken.
As a result, he has now taken it upon himself to mobilise support for her treatment, announcing that he will be hosting a fundraiser on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 11 am Argentine time, where his followers can contribute towards her medical expenses.
“I like everything about my life. I don’t like to create content about other people and all that because that’s not me. So, like a month ago, I discovered through my sister that my brother’s girlfriend was—will be—I’m using those titles because I don’t know, and I don’t want to be in that category of defining who they are, who they will be, or such. No. I am not in that category. I have a baby who is four months old; I should be focusing on that. So my sister told me that the lady has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and this is not the first time we are talking about breast cancer. If you remember, guys, there was a lady who had visited me in Kenya in my villa, and she was telling us she got it and she was going through chemotherapy and all that. And even though I gave her a space here, we opened a YouTube channel for her. We supported her,” he explained.
Marwa further shared that although the patient had been close to his younger brother, David, and his sister, he had never had a close relationship with her, and they had barely spoken before her diagnosis.
However, after learning about her illness, he felt compelled to reach out and support her, adding her to his cancer support group on Instagram, where he interacts with multiple other patients who have reached out to him over time.
He noted that many of these individuals, some of whom have messaged him requesting prayers, have formed a strong community within the group, where they share their struggles and experiences.
“So when I heard that, it really touched me, and I reached out to her, and before that, we didn’t talk, and we were never talking despite her being a friend to my sister and my younger brother, David. Most of the time, we didn’t have that hand-to-hand interaction or a close interaction, but when I saw that, I reached out, and I talked to her. I can’t remember—it’s been like one month. I can’t remember really, but we talked, and I even added her to a group that I have on Instagram of people going through cancer. And not just her—before her, I had many people who have been reaching out to me over the disease. Many are asking for prayers. Another said she wished she could visit me in Nyabohanse but said she could not come because she was battling the disease. I have been receiving messages from some of you guys who have been and support me,” he said.
Online love
While reflecting on why his family receives so much support from fans on social media, particularly YouTube, Marwa explained that he believes people see and appreciate honesty and authenticity in how they live their lives.
He insisted that his audience trusts him because of the transparency his family has always demonstrated, adding that he does not tolerate betrayal and that the best way to interact with him is by being truthful.
“And as I see, you guys really support us, and I know many people wonder why my family has strong support from people on social media, particularly YouTube, because there isn’t another family like mine all over Africa that shows support to people online facing the disease as mine. You support us because you see the genuineness in us and the honesty. If you feel I’m dishonest, come and tell me, but if you betray me, I will not hold—I pull back. One of the best ways to deal with me is to be honest,” he said.
Marwa went on to directly address the patient, sending her words of encouragement and reminding her that she was not alone in her fight, assuring her that he and his followers would stand by her throughout her treatment journey.
He revealed that, through his Instagram group, he has been advocating for alternative healing methods for cancer patients, as he personally does not believe in chemotherapy, although he emphasised that it is ultimately a personal choice for each individual.
“Today’s livestream, as I was telling you, we have a family friend. Probably, she will watch this video. If you are watching, I want to wish you well and to stay strong. God can’t give a battle you can’t win. Actually, I have a whole group of people who are suffering from cancer, and in that group, I share with them alternative healing. I tell them to try something new because I believe in alternative ways. I’m not a strong believer in chemo, but that is just my strong opinion, but it’s all about how you feel,” he said.
Marwa then reminded his followers that life is unpredictable and that anyone could one day find themselves in need of help, urging them to come together and assist those battling serious illnesses.
“I said I will always support them because they support me. I feel like it’s so wrong for me to pretend that I just want to support her, yet I have a whole group of people wishing for the same support. So after her, depending on how it will go, if other people suffering from the disease who are in my Instagram group also want to come out, we will also do contributions for them. You never know—tomorrow, you may be the one in my inbox telling me you are the one who now has the disease,” he concluded.
Marwa, who recently relocated to Argentina with his girlfriend Ro Cabrera, welcomed their child in November 2024, and he did not hesitate to share how happy he was.
They named the baby Maisha, and since then, despite having a multi-million villa in Kenya, he has been residing in the country with his girlfriend’s family.
