Kenya is among five countries in Africa with the highest cancer mortality rates despite having a better health infrastructure than some of its neighbours.
The World Health Expectancy-- a global database on health and life expectancy—ranks Kenya fourth in Africa in cancer mortality with a rate of 144.3 deaths per 100,000 people. Kenya trails Zimbabwe (167.1 per 100,000), Seychelles (161.2 per 100,000) and Malawi (147 per 100,000), and ranks 18th globally.
Ironically, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently recognised Kenya as a leader in breast cancer control in Africa, giving it the highest overall score on the continent in a report assessing breast cancer control capacity in the WHO African Region.
Health experts attribute Kenya's high cancer mortality rate to weak policy implementation, a shortage of oncologists, and low rates of early detection.
Yousef Ahmad, a consultant oncologist, notes that Kenya lacks a comprehensive cancer registry, making it difficult to track trends, assess the impact of interventions, and allocate resources effectively.
"Despite the existence of the National Cancer Control Strategy (2021-2026), poor coordination between national and county governments has led to inconsistencies in cancer care," Dr Yousef said.
In addition, limited investment in cancer screening programmes, particularly in rural areas, has meant that many people do not have access to early diagnosis. Without stronger enforcement of cancer control policies and better coordination among stakeholders, the country will continue to face rising mortality rates.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, with breast, cervical, prostate, oesophageal, and colorectal types being the most common.
Over 70 percent of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which reduces the chances of survival. Factors such as limited awareness, high treatment costs, and inadequate screening programmes contribute to late detection, making cancer one of the country's deadliest diseases.
Dr Andrew Odhiambo, a medical oncologist at Kenyatta National Hospital, says the low screening rates are due to a limited number of oncologists and a general lack of cancer awareness among Kenyans.
"Most patients come to the hospital when the cancer is at an advanced stage because they either do not recognise the symptoms early or cannot afford screening, which significantly reduces their chances of survival," he explains.
According to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCIK), the country had only 58 oncologists, 60 oncology nurses, and 12 oncology pharmacists in 2023, which is insufficient to meet the demand for cancer care.
There were also only 19 external beam radiotherapy machines, of which only eight were in public hospitals.
The International Atomic Energy Agency recommends at least one machine per million people, underscoring the discrepancy in equipment availability.
"This falls short of the International Atomic Energy Agency recommendation of at least one machine per 1,000,000 population," said NCIK.
"The lack of radiotherapy machines in public hospitals has led to long waiting lists, forcing some patients to seek treatment abroad or in cheaper private facilities, further widening the gap in access to healthcare," added Dr Yousef.
Similarly, most cancer treatment centres are concentrated in major cities such as Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kisumu, leaving rural populations with limited access to care, delaying treatment and significantly reducing their chances of survival.
"We need to invest more in cancer care in Kenya, from increasing the number of oncologists and radiotherapy machines to expanding local oncology training programmes," said Dr Nancy Kariuki, an oncologist at KNH.
The high cost of cancer treatment is another major barrier. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are beyond the reach of many Kenyans, especially those from low-income backgrounds. While the Social Health Authority (SHA) covers part of the cost of treatment, many patients still face significant out-of-pocket expenses, leading some to abandon treatment altogether.
Dr Yousef emphasised that without stronger early detection campaigns, better access to affordable treatment, and increased training of specialists, the burden of cancer will only increase.
"To save lives, Kenya must move beyond policy frameworks and implement real, actionable solutions that make cancer care affordable, accessible, and effective for all citizens. Investing in prevention, treatment, and research will be key to reducing cancer deaths and improving the quality of life for cancer patients," he said.
