Kenyan actress and digital content creator Dorea Chege has, for the first time, shared her deeply personal struggle with fibroids a condition she had kept private until now.
Speaking in a candid conversation with gospel duo Wapendwa Muziki, Dorea recounted her harrowing delivery experience, which was complicated by five large fibroids blocking her cervix and surrounding her womb. The video was uploaded on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, on Wapendwa’s channel.
A Difficult Pregnancy Journey
Dorea revealed that her pregnancy was extremely challenging, marked by intense pain as she attempted to deliver naturally. After prolonged labor, she was rushed into an emergency C-section, during which doctors also removed the fibroids.
“Nilikuwa na five fibroids na zilikuwa kubwa… Yangu ilikuwa imeblock cervix na pia zilikuwa around the womb,” she shared, describing the long hours she spent in theatre recovering from the complex procedure.
She admitted feeling devastated when told she could not deliver naturally despite enduring labor for over 24 hours.
Shared Experiences
The conversation also highlighted similar struggles faced by Ninah, one half of Wapendwa Muziki. Her husband, Mesh, explained that doctors had ruled out natural delivery because a fibroid had blocked her cervix.
Ninah added:
“Yangu ilikuwa moja but ilitusumbua… ilukuwa imeblock cervix, 9.5.”
Their testimonies shed light on the silent battles many women endure due to fibroids.
Understanding Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus. While some remain small and harmless, others can grow to the size of melons, disrupting daily life and threatening fertility.
- Studies suggest that up to 80% of women of African descent will develop fibroids by age 50.
- Black women are more likely to develop large, symptomatic fibroids earlier in life.
- In Kenya, fibroids add to the already heavy burden of maternal health challenges.
Complications include:
- Heavy bleeding leading to chronic anaemia
- Increased risks of miscarriage or preterm birth during pregnancy
The Bigger Picture
Despite the prevalence of fibroids, awareness remains low and treatment options limited. Surgical interventions such as myomectomy (removal of fibroids) and hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) are often the only solutions offered. These procedures, however, are costly and inaccessible to many Kenyan women.
Dorea’s openness not only highlights the personal toll of fibroids but also underscores the urgent need for greater awareness, affordable treatment options, and improved maternal healthcare systems in Kenya.
