Lymphoedema care, teaching and advocacy across Kenya and the entire African continent
I am Dr. Janet Mwau, a lymphoedema specialist, physiotherapist and clinical instructor. Most patients who reach my clinic have carried their swelling for years, through wrong diagnoses and wrong explanations, before anyone gave the condition its proper name. My work is to shorten that wait — for one patient at a time, and for the continent.
World Lymphoedema Day commemoration ever held in Kenya, in March 2026.
Patients screened free of charge over two days of that week.
Patients and caregivers trained during the awareness campaign.
Health workers reached by the accompanying national webinar series.
From the inaugural World Lymphoedema Day commemoration at Kenyatta National Hospital, 2–6 March 2026.
The work
Four strands, one aim: that anyone in Kenya and across the African continent living with a swollen limb is recognised early, treated properly, and never told it is witchcraft.
A therapist can drain one limb at a time. A trained ward, a referring surgeon and a public that recognises early swelling can change outcomes for a whole continent.
Complete decongestive therapy for primary and secondary lymphoedema — manual lymphatic drainage, multilayer compression bandaging, remedial exercise and skin care, moving into long-term garment and self-management programmes.
Vision bearer and designer of the KNH Lymphoedema Certification Course and its curriculum framework for lymphatic rehabilitation. Certified clinical instructor, and lead instructor of the Lymphoedema and Oncology Wellness Programme.
Pioneer of the first World Lymphoedema Day commemoration in Kenya. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lymphyt Lymphoedema and Physiotherapy Centre. Chair of the Kenya National Chapter of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, working towards recognition of lymphoedema in national policy and meaningful insurance cover for compression therapy.
Lead author on the forthcoming account of Kenya's inaugural World Lymphoedema Day, and an advocate for the operational data Kenya and the wider African continent currently lack about who has lymphoedema and where.
What it looks like
Many people live with lymphoedema for years without knowing it has a name. These are the changes to look for in an arm — the same pattern appears in the leg.
“Lymphoedema is often invisible and misunderstood.”
Invisible, because the lymphatic system does its work quietly until it fails. Misunderstood, because a swollen leg is still read across much of the continent as a curse, a punishment, or simply bad luck — and because patients are commonly told there is nothing to be done.
There is a great deal to be done. Lymphoedema does not have any known definite cure, but it is effectively manageable, preventable and controllable when it is diagnosed early. The sooner it is caught, the more of a person's limb, mobility and dignity can be preserved.
A first for Kenya
2–6 March 2026 at Kenyatta National Hospital, with the Physiotherapy Council of Kenya, the Kenya Society of Physiotherapists and a wide group of partner institutions, health facilities and industry stakeholders.
For years, Kenya watched World Lymphoedema Day pass every 6th of March without marking it. In 2026, that changed. I conceptualised, chaired, facilitated and led the country's inaugural commemoration at Kenyatta National Hospital — brought together with the Physiotherapy Council of Kenya, the Kenya Society of Physiotherapists, and a wide group of partner health facilities, training institutions, professional bodies and industry stakeholders who supplied screening capacity, compression products and expertise.
The week brought together patient and caregiver training, free screening, webinars, media engagement and a public awareness campaign walk — and closed with the launch of a dedicated Lymphoedema Clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital as a centre of excellence.
Women who had been swollen for years met, for the first time, someone who could name what they had. The Lymphatic Education & Research Network recognised the initiative internationally, and Kenya now has a national chapter.
Where to go from here
Learn what lymphoedema is, how to tell it apart from other causes of swelling, what treatment involves, and the warning signs that need same-day medical attention. You can also join the Kenya National Chapter and connect with others living with the condition.
Referral pathway, what to include in a referral letter, the cautions to check before any patient is placed in compression, and how to arrange training for your team.
Conference sessions, hospital in-service training, broadcast and print interviews, and partnership on lymphatic health programmes across Kenya and the entire African continent.
Reach Janet
Enquiries are answered personally. For clinical referrals, please use the referral page so nothing essential is missed.