Kenya steps up cancer fight with focus on early detection

Kenya is stepping up efforts to transform cancer care by prioritising early detection, local treatment capacity and stronger partnerships between governments, healthcare providers and international organisations.

The push was highlighted at the Nairobi International Cancer Forum 2026, held during ASCA Week, which brought together government officials, health professionals, researchers, investors and cancer survivors to discuss ways of improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

A key focus of the forum was taking cancer services closer to communities to reduce delays in diagnosis and the cost of travelling to specialised facilities.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is a cancer survivor, said Kenya must invest in local capacity to ensure patients do not have to travel to Nairobi or abroad for specialised care.

He said rural communities often delay seeking treatment because of limited information and inadequate access to diagnostic facilities. Kisumu County is therefore training healthcare workers and strengthening facilities to provide cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The push is being supported by the Africa Smart Cities and Townships Alliance (ASCA), whose President and Chairman of the World Smart Cities Forum, Jaewon Peter Chun, said his commitment to cancer care was influenced by his sister’s 13-year battle with breast cancer.

Chun said the experience demonstrated that cancer care must go beyond medicine and hospitals to include psychological, physical and family support.

The partnership is supporting plans for a cancer centre in Kisumu and an early screening programme targeting communities around the Lake Victoria region.

About $1 million is being invested in a laboratory at Victoria Hospital to support early cancer screening, with the programme eventually targeting about 300,000 people in the region. The partners also plan to train doctors, nurses and engineers and mobilise specialised diagnostic equipment.

Cancer survivor Kevin Mwachiro, who has lived with multiple myeloma for 11 years, urged stakeholders to put patients at the centre of cancer care.

He said high medication costs continue to push families into financial hardship, while patients also require greater dignity, caregiver support and attention to their quality of life.

Mwachiro further urged Kenyans not to fear screening, saying early diagnosis can improve treatment outcomes.

The forum comes as Kenya expands specialised cancer services and strengthens screening and referral through primary healthcare networks.

Stakeholders say the challenge is now to ensure these investments reach communities early enough and that patients diagnosed with cancer can access affordable, timely and compassionate treatment.