What You Need to Know
The National Assembly’s Committee on Health in Kenya is set to engage stakeholders to combat the increasing cancer death toll. Committee chairperson James Nyikal emphasized the need for a national dialogue to assess the disease’s status and response. With cancer being a leading cause of death, early screening and awareness are crucial to reducing fatalities.
Africa-Press – Kenya. National Assembly’s Committee on Health has resolved to engage stakeholders in the health sector to address the increasing number of cancer-related deaths in the country.
Committee chairperson James Nyikal (Seme) announced the resolution after members of the House team raised an alarm over the high number of people dying from the disease.
During a session to adopt the committee schedule for the month of April, members noted that something must be done to reduce the number of cancer cases and also to create awareness on how to manage and prevent the disease.
“We need a serious national cancer dialogue. The dialogue should start by establishing the status of the disease, the national response and the magnitude of the problem. As a committee, we are ready to spearhead the process with key stakeholders,” Nyikal said.
Earlier, Moyale MP Jaldesa Guyo and Endebess MP Robert Pukose, who are both medical doctors, observed that many people die from diseases that can be cured if diagnosed early.
“We have forms of cancer that are preventable, such as cervical cancer. If, as a committee, in conjunction with female lawmakers, we champion early screening and uptake of the HPV vaccine, we will reduce the number of people affected by the disease,” he said.
Pukose said there is need to invest more in research and empower institutions such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the National Cancer Institute to assess the types of cancer affecting people and their regional distribution.
“To understand the problem we are dealing with, we must examine the regional distribution of cancer and even narrow it down to specific types that may be prevalent in certain areas. We also need to engage institutions like KEMRI and consider increased funding for cancer research,” he said.
Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli and Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge supported the calls for a national dialogue. They agreed that the disease requires a multi-agency and multifaceted approach, similar to how HIV and AIDS has been addressed after being first reported in the country in the 1980’s.
Cancer is a major public health concern in Kenya, ranking as the third leading cause of death, with more than 47,000 new cases and roughly 32,000 to 33,000 cancer-related deaths recorded annually.
The high burden is driven by cancers such as breast, cervical, prostate, oesophageal and colorectal cancer, with women being disproportionately affected.
Over 60 –70 per cent of cancer cases are diagnosed at late stages, often due to inadequate screening and awareness. Limited access to specialised treatment centres, especially in rural areas, and high treatment costs often lead patients to abandon care.
Cancer has emerged as a significant public health issue in Kenya, ranking as the third leading cause of death in the country. With over 47,000 new cases and approximately 32,000 to 33,000 cancer-related deaths annually, the burden is particularly high among women. Many cases are diagnosed at late stages due to insufficient screening and awareness, highlighting the urgent need for improved healthcare strategies and public health initiatives to address this crisis. The historical context of cancer management in Kenya reflects a growing recognition of the disease’s impact, similar to the response seen with HIV/AIDS since the 1980s.
