The Country must approach cancer not as a health issue alone, but as a national development priority that requires a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach, Prime Cabinet Secretary. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi has said.
“A holistic approach is important and that all hands must be on deck if all are to meaningfully address cancer challenges,” he added
Dr. Mudavadi called on various ministries, including Education, Agriculture, Investment, trade and industry, Environment, ICT, National Treasury, and more so counties, to break down silos in addressing cancer.
The Prime CS, who officially opened the 2nd National Cancer Summit, 2025, in Nairobi today, further noted that even as the country responds to the internal challenges of cancer, Kenya is also looking outward, with a bold vision of becoming a regional hub for cancer treatment, training, and innovation in Africa.
“We already have critical building blocks in place, such as operationalization of regional cancer centers in Nakuru, Mombasa, Meru, Kisumu, and Garissa and scaling up of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, nuclear medicine, and surgical oncology services,” he said.
He added that the emergence of highly skilled oncologists, radiologists, and oncology nurses trained locally and internationally and also the advancement of cancer research, registries, and precision imaging technologies through public and private investments will position Kenya as a regional hub for cancer care.
“We are not merely responding to disease; we are building the infrastructure, systems, and workforce that can anchor medical tourism, regional referrals, and clinical trials within Kenya. Our ambition is clear: to serve not just Kenyans, but also our Eastern and Central African neighbours who seek accessible, affordable, and high-quality cancer care,” Mudavadi said .
Mudavadi, who is also the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, said that his office has prioritized health diplomacy as a cornerstone of external relations and that through bilateral and multilateral partnerships, they are engaging meaningfully with international organizations and cancer control bodies.
“Our collaborations with the World Health Organization (WHO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and numerous UN agencies, regional blocs, and philanthropic institutions have resulted in strengthened diagnostic capabilities, technical support, equipment donations, knowledge exchange through capacity building, and access to global best practices,” Mudavadi said.
The National Government, the Prime Cabinet said, remains firmly committed to expanding the international collaborations, in line with the National Cancer Control Strategy and the aspirations of Kenya Vision 2030 and Agenda 2063.
Health Cabinet Adan Duale said that cancer is not just a health crisis but is a national emergency since every day, more than 120 Kenyans are diagnosed; every hour, families lose loved ones; and each year, over 29,000 lives are lost.
He noted that the government is committed to saving lives, reducing suffering, and building a future where no Kenyan dies from cancer and urged Kenyans to register for the Social Health Authority, (SHA)
“To date, the SHA has received oncology claims amounting to Sh5.8 billion, benefiting 49,315 patients who have accessed various oncology services,” Duale said.
The CS, however, added that in order to strengthen access, the Ministry of Health has signed an MoU with Roche to provide Herceptin® 600mg SC and other HER2+ therapies to eligible SHA beneficiaries.
“Herceptin®, a biologic therapy used to treat HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers, makes up 15–20% of all breast cancer cases and is a critical addition in the fight against cancer,” he explained.
Through this partnership, the CS said the cost of treatment has been reduced from Sh 120,000 to Sh40,000 per session, fully covered by SHA with no co-payment.
The therapies, he added, will be available across all SHA-contracted facilities—public, private, and faith-based—ensuring equitable nationwide access.
“The Ministry encourages other pharmaceutical partners to join in expanding access to affordable, patient-centered, and high-quality cancer care, and I want to urge all Kenyans to register and contribute to SHIF. This is your protection; this is your family’s future,” the CS said
According to the Ministry, over 70% of cancer cases are diagnosed late, mainly due to limited access, stigma, and misinformation, and therefore there is a need to expand diagnostic and radiotherapy services in underserved areas and promote early health-seeking by normalizing cancer conversations.
“Geography must not determine survival. County governments, prioritize cancer in your budgets. ring-fence funding for screening, public education, and referral infrastructure, while partners and the private sector invest in localized, affordable cancer care solutions that are scalable and sustainable,” Duale urged.
Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, said that the country is currently recording over 44,000 cases of cancer every year and 28,000 deaths annually.
The theme for the three-day summit is running. “Uniting Voices, Taking Action” is a call for urgency and solidarity, and according to the prime cabinet, it should be a declaration that the time for fragmented efforts is over and that the time to act, collectively and decisively, is now.
By Wangari Ndirangu
