Strengthening Cancer Control in Narok County – Taking Services Closer to the Mwananchi

In its unwavering commitment to fight cancer and bring cancer prevention and control services closer to the people, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), led by Rift Valley Regional Team Lead, Ms. Linet Koskei, today held a strategic engagement with the Narok County Health Leadership.
The meeting brought together key county health leaders, including: Chief Officer for Clinical Services, Madame Jane Kiok, Chief Officer, Preventive and Promotive Health, Madame Lucy Kashu, Ag. County Director of Health, Dr. Patrick Njoka, NCD Coordinator, Ms. Nancy Kamiti and members of the County Health Management Team (CHMT)
The engagement focused on assessing the progress Narok County has made in cancer prevention and control, identifying existing gaps and challenges, and jointly exploring practical ways to implement sustainable solutions that will bring life-saving cancer services closer to the mwananchi.
“Counties are crucial in our national fight against cancer,” Ms. Koskei stated. “Strong collaboration with the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) is essential to drive impact at the grassroots level. Narok County should establish a dedicated budget line for cancer prevention and control activities. This will empower the County Health Management Team (CHMT) to implement sustainable, locally responsive programs that align perfectly with the National Cancer Control Strategy 2023-2027, ultimately improving long-term health outcomes for our community.”
As part of the visit, Ms. Koskei toured the soon-to-be-completed Oncology Unit located on the 4th floor of the new county hospital building, set for completion within the next six months. She commended the County Government for prioritizing cancer care infrastructure and integrating the unit into the new facility, which will greatly reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the county.
She further reaffirmed NCI-K’s support in ensuring the oncology unit meets all national standards as outlined in the Guidelines for the Establishment of Cancer Centres, paving the way for it to become fully operational.
This engagement marks another bold step toward building a stronger, more equitable cancer control system-one that truly meets the needs of our communities.
Together, we are bringing cancer care closer to the people – where it matters most.