Kenya has launched an ambitious multi-sectoral plan to combat rising cancer cases at the second national cancer summit, urging collective action to save lives.
The summit, themed ‘Uniting Our Voices, Taking Action,’ drew national and county leaders, international health agencies, pharmaceutical firms, cancer patient researchers, survivors and advocates.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at The Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi declared cancer a ‘national development priority’ requiring a whole-of-society approach.
“The time for fragmented efforts is over. We must unite our voices and act collectively,” rallied Dr. Mudavadi, urging ministries, counties, private sector and civil society to integrate cancer interventions into their mandates.
While highlighting that defeating cancer transcends the health docket, the Prime CS called on the Ministry of Education to integrate cancer awareness into curricula, Agriculture to regulate carcinogenic products, Environment to tackle pollution, ICT to support digital registries and telemedicine, and the National Treasury to sustainably fund cancer programs.
“Every Kenyan has a role in this battle. Your actions matter. Your voice matters,” he reiterated.
Further, Dr. Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to global cancer diplomacy, aligning national policies with UN and WHO targets to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030.
As the summit opened, survivors’ stories underscored the human toll and resilience behind the statistics with the Prime CS noting that behind every number lies not only a shattered family and a delayed dream, but also hope and courage.
Additionally, he stressed Kenya’s vision to become a regional hub for cancer care and research.
Meanwhile, the four-day event, organized by the Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), will review Kenya’s National Cancer Control Strategy (2023–2027), showcase innovations and advance sustainable financing for equitable cancer care.
Making his remarks, Health CS Aden Duale termed cancer a ‘national emergency,’ revealing that 120 Kenyans are diagnosed daily while 70 percent of cases are detected late due to limited access, stigma and misinformation.
“No Kenyan should suffer or die because of delayed treatment or be forced to choose between treatment and feeding their family,” he contemplated.
According to the CS, data from the Ministry of Health indicates that there are over 58,000 new cancer cases annually, a figure projected to reach 95,000 by 2040 if interventions lag.
Duale disclosed that the Social Health Authority (SHA) has paid Sh5.8 billion in oncology claims over the past nine months, benefiting 49,315 patients under the Social Health Insurance Fund.
“This fund is your protection, your family’s future,” he told Kenyans, urging them to register.
He at the same time announced that the government has also signed a partnership with pharmaceutical giant Roche to supply advanced breast and gastric cancer therapies fully covered under SHIF, reducing treatment costs from Sh120,000 to Sh40,000 per session.
Echoing the Prime CS’s sentiments, Duale highlighted the progress in operationalizing regional cancer centres in Nakuru, Mombasa, Meru, Kisumu and Garissa, with expanded radiotherapy, chemotherapy and nuclear medicine services.
“Let this summit be remembered as the moment we shifted from plans to impact, from words to action,” asserted Duale.
Furthermore, the CS disclosed that the National Equipment Service Project has installed mammography machines in Kisumu and Kerugoya, while 15 county hospitals now have CT scanners, with 15 more installations underway.
“We are building the infrastructure, systems and workforce that can anchor medical tourism, regional referrals and clinical trials,” assured Duale, citing ongoing collaborations with WHO, International Atomic Energy Agency and the Union for International Cancer Control.
In his remarks, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, a veteran cancer policy advocate, warned that national strategies risk stagnation without local implementation and financing.
“We must move from policy to practice, from paper to patient,” he urged, noting that less than 15 percent of eligible women in Kisumu have been screened for cervical and breast cancer.
Prof. Nyong’o lauded county First Ladies’ efforts to boost HPV vaccination coverage among girls aged 10–14 from 12 percent in 2022 to 38 percent in 2024.
He encouraged counties to ring-fence cancer budgets, strengthen community screening and tackle stigma.
“Fear and misinformation delay care. Cancer must be treated like any other disease preventable and curable,” he advised.
The summit objectives included strengthening early detection, enhancing data-driven policies, integrating palliative care and improving survivorship support.
Additionally, key sessions addressed financing, digital health integration, clinical trials and workforce gaps whereas breakout sessions explored pediatric oncology, holistic patient-centred care, genomics and supply chain strengthening.
On the other hand, side events included cancer awareness campaigns, community screening at Kongoni Primary School in South C that took place on Sunday, and a ‘Meet the Expert’ open day offering advisory services to delegates.
The Ministry of Health also launched new national radiotherapy protocols and the EMPOWER program to standardize oncology training and care.
Prof. Nyong’o summed up the collective resolve rallying, “Together, let us ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against cancer.”
The summit, which will conclude on Wednesday July 30, culminated with a call to implement measurable actions, including expanding screening, scaling up financing and leveraging partnerships to make cancer care accessible to all.
By Kamau Daniel
