NAIROBI — Cancer patients in Kenya will now receive life-saving treatment free of charge at all approved facilities, following a landmark agreement between the government and global drug manufacturer Roche.
The Social Health Authority (SHA), Kenya’s newly established public health insurer, will cover the full cost of biological therapy used to treat breast and gastric cancers—two of the country’s most common forms of the disease. The treatment, which previously cost patients up to Sh120,000 per session, will now be available at no personal cost.
“This partnership we have with Roche has reduced the cost of treatment from Sh120,000 to Sh40,000 per session, fully covered by SHA,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during a press briefing in Nairobi. “There will be no copayment for our patients.”
The therapy, already approved and in use globally, is now accessible across SHA-contracted public, private, and faith-based facilities nationwide.
A Step Toward Equity
The move is part of a broader push to address longstanding disparities in cancer care. More than 70% of cancer cases in Kenya are diagnosed at advanced stages, according to the Ministry of Health, a problem fuelled by late detection, stigma, and limited access to diagnostic tools.
“Ensuring access to therapies must go hand in hand with early detection,” Duale said. He called on county governments to set aside specific funding for cancer screening, diagnosis, and referral systems.
“Please prioritise cancer in your budgets,” he urged. “Decentralised action is essential.”
Health experts say the high cost of cancer treatment has left many patients unable to complete therapy, often leading to preventable deaths. Duale described the new Roche agreement as a shift “from plans to impact,” emphasising the need for community-level interventions alongside pharmaceutical partnerships.
“We must invest in solutions rooted in evidence and compassion,” he added. “Let us deliver a future where cancer is no longer a death sentence, but a challenge we face together with courage and resolve.”
The Human Cost of Delay
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. Data from the Kenya National Cancer Registry and the World Health Organization estimate over 42,000 new cancer cases annually, with more than 27,000 deaths.
Among women, breast and cervical cancers account for nearly half of all diagnoses. In men, prostate and esophageal cancers are most common.
The Ministry of Health says future efforts will focus on scaling up diagnostic infrastructure and expanding awareness campaigns, particularly in rural areas. Duale also urged the media and civil society to play a greater role in breaking cancer stigma and promoting early screening.
“This summit must mark the moment we stop just talking and start changing lives,” he said.
As Kenya moves forward with its universal health care plan, the success of this new cancer treatment programme will serve as a key test—of the government’s ability to deliver equitable care, and of whether patients across the country can finally access the help they need in time.
