Hope For Cancer Patients As Kihika Signs Oncology Deal

By Suleiman Mbatiah

A new agreement between Nakuru County and the national government has brought renewed hope to thousands of cancer patients across western, central and parts of the Rift Valley, promising steadier treatment, shorter referral delays and expanded financial protection.

The framework, signed alongside Mombasa and Garissa counties, defines how regional cancer centres will be financed, managed and maintained, with emphasis on keeping critical radiotherapy machines functional and accountable.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale witnessed the signing of Intergovernmental Participation Agreements and tripartite Service Level Agreements formalising cooperation between the ministry and the three counties.

If implemented effectively, the framework could deliver more predictable cancer treatment, shorter waiting times and lower out of pocket costs for patients in Nakuru and neighbouring counties.

The Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital, also known as Nakuru PGH, hosts a regional cancer centre serving patients 24 counties in Rift Valley, Western, Nyanza and Central regions.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika said the agreement strengthens the county’s ability to deliver consistent oncology services and reduce reliance on distant national facilities.

“This agreement strengthens our operational capacity and allows us to optimise treatment services at the Nakuru Regional Cancer Centre,” Kihika said, adding that patients must receive timely, dignified cancer care closer to home without the burden of repeated referrals and high travel costs.

Kenya records an estimated 44,000 new cancer cases each year, according to Ministry of Health data, placing growing pressure on radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical oncology services countrywide.

The agreement sets out clear frameworks for preventive maintenance, quality assurance and rapid technical support for high-value radiotherapy equipment, particularly linear accelerators, to ensure uninterrupted and safe cancer treatment.

“These agreements guarantee structured maintenance, quality assurance and rapid response for high value oncology equipment. We expect counties to match national support by providing trained personnel and essential consumables required for safe and effective daily operations,” he stated.

The Cabinet Secretary said the regional centres are aligned with Universal Health Coverage goals and are intended to ease congestion at facilities such as Kenyatta National Hospital.

Through the Social Health Authority, the government has increased the oncology benefits package to Sh800,000 per patient, targeting more than 29 million registered Kenyans.

Kihika said talks with the ministry also focused on subsidising oncology medicines, expanding insurance cover for key laboratory tests and increasing access to brachytherapy for cervical cancer patients.

“We also discussed urgent equipment needs at the Nakuru centre and the planned upgrade of Naivasha Sub County Hospital to Level 5 to strengthen referral systems and broaden specialised care within the region, reducing pressure on national hospitals,” she explained.

Governors Abdulswamad Sherrif of Mombasa and Nathif Jama of Garissa also signed the agreements, alongside senior Health ministry officials and representatives of the Council of Governors.