Senator Hamida calls for affordable cancer treatment amid rising cases
Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana has raised fresh concern over the growing cancer burden in Kenya, calling for urgent reforms to ensure affordable and accessible treatment across the country.
In a statement shared on X on July 25, 2025, the senator underscored the human toll of delayed diagnosis and high treatment costs.
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“Affordable and accessible cancer treatment is urgent. As cancer cases rise, action is critical. Every Kenyan deserves care without financial burden,” Kibwana stated. “Equitable healthcare and timely intervention can save lives and restore hope for families affected by this devastating disease.”
The senator’s remarks come against a backdrop of rising cancer-related deaths in the country, which now exceed 27,000 annually, according to the African Cancer Registry Network.
Her appeal comes at a time when the government has announced a major cost relief for breast cancer patients. A deal signed in May 2025 between the Ministry of Health and Roche East Africa has seen the cost of breast cancer treatment reduced from Ksh120,000 to Ksh40,000 per session. The agreement was launched by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and supported by the Social Health Authority (SHA), with the aim of advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
The ministry said the partnership will allow patients to access treatment in SHA-accredited public, private, and faith-based facilities at no extra charge. The agreement also includes enhanced access to medicine, healthcare worker training, and expanded screening services.
Supportive reforms in the North
The government has also increased its oncology care package, with the annual limit now set at Ksh550,000 per patient—Ksh400,000 covered through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and Ksh150,000 via the Enhanced Care Chronic Illness Fund (ECCIF). The ministry also revised daily reimbursements for ICU and HDU care, increasing the cap from Ksh4,480 to Ksh28,000.
These reforms, however, are unfolding amid rising concern over environmental factors linked to cancer in northern Kenya. A parliamentary committee is investigating reports of toxic nuclear waste allegedly dumped in northeastern counties since the 1980s. In Garissa alone, Governor Nathif Jama cited a spike in throat cancer cases—440 in 2023, 1,347 in 2024, and 640 reported so far in 2025.
Wajir South MP Adow Mohammed and other legislators have demanded accountability, while former presidential aspirant Cyrus Jirongo is expected to testify on the existence of confidential records regarding the waste.
Health CS Duale also addressed the recent breakdown of a LINAC radiotherapy machine at Kenyatta National Hospital, assuring the public that a replacement was underway.
“This partnership is not only about reducing treatment costs; it’s about saving lives, promoting equity, and reinforcing the integrity of our healthcare system,” he said.
Senator Kibwana’s call adds to the growing pressure on the government to ensure cancer care reforms translate into tangible relief for affected families.
