National Cancer Institute Kenya

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  • The Roche–MoH–SHA MOU Implementation Workshop

    The Roche–MoH–SHA MOU Implementation Workshop

    17th November 2025, marked our Day 1 of the Roche–MoH–SHA MOU Implementation Workshop at the Great Rift Valley Lodge with a high-level opening plenary bringing together leadership from the Ministry of Health, NCI–Kenya, the Social Health Authority (SHA), KEMSA, the Digital Health Authority (DHA), the MoH Division of Health Products & Technologies (DHPT), Roche, and Savannah Global Health Institute (SGHI). The day set a unified tone for strengthening Kenya’s national architecture for breast and cervical cancer control.

    Sessions highlighted the current state of breast and cervical cancer in Kenya, reviewing epidemiological trends and the health system burden. Partners explored the investment case for oncology in Africa, followed by a review of health financing achievements and challenges from the previous MOU—now reframed within SHA’s expanded mandate and DHA’s emerging digital ecosystem for claims, approvals, and health data integration.

    KEMSA and DHPT shared key lessons from past collaborations in supply chain optimisation, commodity access, and regulatory alignment, while Roche provided insights on partnerships for access to innovation. SGHI contributed perspectives on systems strengthening, implementation support, and global standards that can fortify national cancer pathways.

    The afternoon was dedicated to a deep-dive workshop to co-develop clear Terms of Reference and KPIs for the new MOU. Stakeholders identified actionable priorities in screening, diagnostics, treatment access, sample referral systems, supply chain efficiency, digital health integration, and sustainable financing across all levels of care.

    Day 1 concluded with a consolidation of emerging priorities and agreement on action points, establishing a strong foundation for the technical workstreams scheduled for Day 2.

  • SHA Expands Cancer Coverage to Strengthen Cancer Care in Kenya

    The Government of Kenya, through the Social Health Authority (SHA), has expanded the Cancer Benefit Package under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) – a major step toward improving access to quality and affordable cancer care for all Kenyans.

    Appearing before the National Assembly Plenary Sitting, chaired by Speaker Rt. Hon. Moses Wetang’ula, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, presented a comprehensive report detailing progress made under the Cancer Benefit Package. The package supports patients throughout their cancer care journey ,from diagnosis and staging to treatment and palliative care.

    According to Hon. Duale, coverage under SHA has been significantly strengthened by removing limits on treatment cycles within the annual benefit cap, ensuring fairness, flexibility, and continuity of care for patients. Currently, 140 health facilities across the country are contracted to provide comprehensive cancer services.

    To date, 33,101 patients have benefited from the package, with KSh 5.8 billion

  • NCI-K Achieves Research Institute Certification 🔬

    NCI-K Achieves Research Institute Certification 🔬

    The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) has achieved a major institutional milestone by being officially awarded a certificate of registration as a research institute. The certification was granted by the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), in full compliance with the requirements of The Science, Technology and Innovation Act, 2013. This prestigious recognition formalizes NCI-K’s role in advancing cancer-related research. The certificate was presented by Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, the Principal Secretary for Science, Research, and Innovation in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and received on behalf of the NCI-K CEO by Dr. Joan Simam, the Head of Research and Data Informatics Directorate, who emphasized the significance of the achievement:

    “This certification reflects the Institute’s commitment to ethical, collaborative, and impactful cancer research, fully compliant with requirements under The Science, Technology, and Innovation Act, 2013.”

    This recognition is a major step forward and a stepping stone for NCI-K as the leading cancer institution in the country. The Institute is currently dedicated to collecting accurate data from the ground to enable more rigorous and relevant research. This effort is supported by the Cancer Registry Department, under the leadership of Gladys Chesumabi, which has cancer registrars dispatched to all regional cancer centers across the country.

    With this official research certification, NCI-K is now positioned to transform this rich, accurate data into actionable insights. We believe that the fight against cancer is not far from victory, as this research will provide more precise, localized information to effectively tailor treatment and intervention strategies.

  • Kajiado County – NCI-K Conducts Community Sensitization on Cancer and NCDs

    Kajiado County – NCI-K Conducts Community Sensitization on Cancer and NCDs

    6th November 2025 – The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), in collaboration with the Kajiado County Health Management Team, is conducting a cancer and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) sensitization campaign during the ongoing annual Maa Cultural Festival held at the Amboseli National Park, Kajiado County.

    This initiative seeks to leverage the high number of Maasai community members, convening from across the three Maa Counties of Narok, Kajiado, and Samburu, organized under the framework of the Maa Economic Bloc (MAAEB).  The event provides a strategic platform for us to share important government policies on health and create awareness, specifically focusing on demystifying the cultural cancer myths, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles. To ensure that cancer information permeates deep to the grassroots level, the institute developed and translated the IEC materials into the local language, cognizant of the varying cultural values of our communities.

    This one-week activity will feature sessions including:

    • Education & awareness Sessions: Interactive talks and materials in local languages to educate the community on cancer prevention, early signs, and the importance of screening.
    • Direct Screening Services: On-site screenings for breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.

    Apart from the County Government of Kajiado, the Institute has also collaborated with key partners, including Women for Cancer and AstraZeneca, demonstrating a shared commitment to fighting and reducing cancer incidences in Kenya through early detection and prevention.

  • WORLD CANCER LEADERS’ SUMMIT, 2027 TO BE HELD IN NAIROBI

    WORLD CANCER LEADERS’ SUMMIT, 2027 TO BE HELD IN NAIROBI

    We are exited to announce that Kenya, through the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, has won a bid to host World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, 2027. The event running from 24th to 28th November is Organised by UICC and hosted the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, the Summit’s return to Africa highlights the continent’s growing leadership role in global cancer control.UICC is pleased to announce that the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit 2027 will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 24 to 28 November.Hosted by the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, the Summit will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), a landmark venue in the heart of Nairobi.

    “The World Cancer Leaders’ Summit brings together voices from every region to shape the future of cancer control. Holding the Summit in Nairobi ensures that Africa’s experiences and priorities are part of that global conversation. By convening in Africa, the Summit will ground its discussions in the lived realities of communities most affected by rising cancer burdens, ensuring that strategies are shaped by those confronting these challenges most directly.”– Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, President-elect of UICC, and Founder and CEO of Medicaid Cancer Foundation.

    The World Cancer Leaders’ Summit is a high-level policy event that brings together decision-makers, civil society leaders, researchers and private sector partners to shape the global cancer agenda. The 2027 edition will provide a platform for strategic dialogue, regional collaboration and the sharing of innovative approaches to cancer control.

    “It is a privilege to welcome the global cancer community to Nairobi for the 2027 World Cancer Leaders’ Summit. This return to Africa after the Summit in Cape Town in 2013 highlights the growing leadership role that the continent is playing, and offers a unique opportunity to engage with the challenges and progress shaping cancer across Africa, as well as to strengthen regional and global partnerships.”– Miriam Mutebi, Member of the UICC Board of Directors, Member of the UICC Board of Directors, Breast surgical oncologist and health systems researcher at the Aga Khan University, Kenya.

    By hosting this historic event, NCI-K has demonstrated and solidified its position as a leading cancer institution, not only in Africa but also globally. We believe that through these high-level engagements, the battle against cancer will be won.

  • NCI-K Intensifies Screening and Education Drive in Nyeri County

    NCI-K Intensifies Screening and Education Drive in Nyeri County

    31st Oct‎, 2025 – ‎Central Region, Othaya, Nyeri County.

    ‎The nation-wide campaign in commemoration of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues as the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) partners with Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital, AstraZeneca, Microbiology East Africa Limited, and Grounds for Health, in Othaya, Nyeri County.

    ‎This activity is aimed at improving community engagement and promoting cancer prevention through free cancer screening services, including breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, as well as public education and awareness sessions.

    ‎Also featured are patient journey experiences and survivor testimonials aimed at inspiring patients and caregivers while fostering a deeper understanding of cancer care and management.

    ‎Throughout these exercises, NCI-K aims to:

    ‎1.           Promote awareness of breast, cervical, and prostate cancers, with a focus on early detection, timely intervention, and preventive measures.

    ‎2.           Provide free cancer screening services to at least 500 individuals from the surrounding community.

    ‎3.           Educate and empower the public on healthy lifestyle practices and self-examination techniques that contribute to cancer risk reduction.

    ‎4.           Strengthen partnerships among collaborating institutions and community stakeholders to support sustainable cancer control initiatives.

    ‎5.           Encourage continuous screening and follow-up care through established community health structures and hospital-based clinics.

    ‎As we strive to achieve our mission of reducing cancer incidence in the country, we urge members of the public to take advantage of these free cancer screening initiatives. Remember, early detection saves lives; your life matters.

  • Mandera County, Northeastern Region – NCI-K Partners with Superlative Healthcare to Offer Free Cancer Services.

    Mandera County, Northeastern Region – NCI-K Partners with Superlative Healthcare to Offer Free Cancer Services.

    The next stop in our nationwide campaign on education, awareness, and free cancer screening takes us to the Northern frontier of Kenya, Mandera County. The institute is leaving no stone unturned, ensuring no region is left behind in accessing information about cancer and benefiting from the free cancer services offered in partnerships with like-minded stakeholders and collaborators, thus ensuring health equity across the country.

    NCI-K will ensure all the marginalized communities are not left behind in this fight against cancer; education and awareness are the key factors in these campaigns that ensure the debunking of pervasive myths and cultural misconceptions surrounding cancer.

    To ensure this is achieved, the institute has partnered with Superlative Healthcare, a local health care facility that understands the local community better in offering free screening on breast, prostate and cervical cancers as we culminate towards the end of breast cancer awareness month, October, Superlative Healthcare will also ensure that our message packaging are consistent and are culturally sensitive to the local community, thus maximizing our impacts.

    The institute is glad to report a positive reception of the local community towards our initiatives in prevention, with women leading on readiness to be screened. With the dedication of the NCI-K staff, guided by its top leadership, the Institute remains confident that these sustained efforts will contribute significantly to reducing cancer incidence in the country.

    #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #CancerAwareness #NCIKENYA

  • NCI-K and Partners Host Free Cancer Screening and Cancer Warrior Celebration in Eldoret City

    NCI-K and Partners Host Free Cancer Screening and Cancer Warrior Celebration in Eldoret City

    1st November 2025 – Eldoret City

    Today, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) together with partners including Alexandria Cancer Centre, Eldoret Oncology Associates, Uhai Life Sciences, and Catholic University of East Africa participated in a free cancer screening exercise in Eldoret  City, as well as celebrating cancer warriors, an activity organized by The Solace Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization championing cancer prevention, early detection, and comprehensive support for every person affected by cancer to access dignified care in Kenya. This is part of the continued efforts by NCI-K to increase cancer education, awareness, and screening nationwide in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Screening services offered included breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.

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    Notable people present included the National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Hon. Gladys Boss Shollei, and Uasin Gishu County leadership represented by County Executive Committee member, Mrs Joyce Sang.

    Advocating for cancer prevention, Hon. Shollei mentioned the continued efforts to expedite the formulation of regulations to remove the banned hazardous herbicides from Kenyan markets, urging members of the National Assembly to work to protect the Kenyan population from these cancer-causing products. “These products have been banned in foreign countries, but still find market access in Kenya.” According to her, Kirinyaga County has the highest prevalence of cancer, and the highest county using the same products. The National Assembly leader encouraged members of the public to continue registering with the Social Health Authority to enjoy the benefits of Universal Health Coverage.

    Cancer champions and advocates in the walk.

    Dr. Rebecca Omollo, the Founder of The Solace Cancer Foundation, and a breast cancer survivor, thanked the National Cancer Institute of Kenya for the efforts it is putting in combating the cancer menace in the country, specifically, she thanked the CEO, Dr. Elias Melly, for leading in the cancer advocacy, policy formulation, and support to County governments.

    The institute’s continued partnership efforts are in line with our mission and objectives of eradicating conditions that cause and aggravate the spread of cancer, as well as working to ensure the implementation of the five pillars in our National Cancer strategic plan, 2024-2027. The nationwide campaign aims to encourage members of the public to prioritize their health by embracing the free screening initiatives launched by the national government.

  • NCI-K Leads Western Region Chapter in National Breast Cancer Mobilization

    NCI-K Leads Western Region Chapter in National Breast Cancer Mobilization

    The fight against breast cancer is gaining momentum in Western Kenya Region as the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) intensifies its nationwide campaign on breast cancer awareness and screening as we commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). The spotlight now shines on the Western Region Chapter, an initiative that unites public and private partners to deliver free cancer awareness, education, and screening services directly to the people.

    With breast cancer remaining one of Kenya’s leading causes of cancer-related deaths, early detection has proven to be the most effective weapon in saving lives. Cognizant of this fact, NCI-K has coordinated a strong coalition to lead the campaign in the region.

    NCI-K has teamed up with the Busia County Government, Global Health Innovations, and GoodHope Hospitals and Clinic. With this kind of teamwork, we are ensuring that breast cancer awareness, education, and screening reach women where they live and work.

    One of the major concerns in the region is stigma and myths about cancer; to address this, the institute, through our childhood cancers champion, Mercy Osoro, is dispelling these myths, misconceptions, and stigma by sharing her experiences. Mercy is a 20-year-old cancer survivor working at the Directorate of Cancer Prevention and Control.

    #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancer #PinkOctober #NCIKENYA

  • Ministry of Health, Merck Foundation, and NCI-K Forge Powerful Alliance to Scale Up Cancer Care

    Ministry of Health, Merck Foundation, and NCI-K Forge Powerful Alliance to Scale Up Cancer Care

    The National Cancer Institute of Kenya’s efforts to reduce the national cancer burden have advanced with an expanded collaboration. Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, hosted representatives from the Merck Foundation and NCI-K, led by CEO Dr. Elias Melly, to formalize this partnership.

    The meeting, held today, the 29th of October, 2025, at Afya House in Nairobi, focused on strengthening collaboration in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.

     The discussions were centered on transforming the cancer care continuum in the country, from prevention to treatment, by expanding joint programs that will significantly enhance cancer diagnosis and management. The partnership strategically merges the Merck Foundation’s global expertise with Kenya’s growing healthcare infrastructure. 

      This collaboration is focused on actionable steps to improve access and quality, particularly in underserved communities, including prioritizing early detection, Affordable Treatment Access, and Patient Support Initiatives.

    Dr. Oluga strongly emphasized that such partnerships are vital for achieving the government’s goals of quality and equitable healthcare access.  “Cancer is one of the fastest-rising health challenges globally. By joining forces with partners like Merck Foundation and NCI-K, we can strengthen our health system’s capacity to prevent, detect, and treat cancer early, saving more lives,” said Dr. Oluga.

    The joint initiatives will bring a positive effect in regard to: building capacity across the entire healthcare system, enhancing public awareness, and ultimately contributing to a significant reduction in Kenya’s cancer burden. This alliance powerfully reinforces the Ministry’s commitment to delivering accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all citizens