More than 14,000 cancer cases were recorded in Kenya in 2024, with breast, cervical, oesophageal, prostate and colorectal cancers emerging as the country’s most common types, according to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K).
The figures were unveiled during the launch of the Kenya Cancer Statistics Dashboard, the country’s first comprehensive hospital-based cancer data platform, developed using locally generated data from 79 health facilities.
Head of the National Cancer Registry, Gladys Onyango, said the dashboard will provide policymakers with critical data on cancer trends by county, age, gender and treatment, enabling evidence-based interventions.
“This dashboard is more than charts and figures. It provides the evidence needed to make informed policy decisions that ultimately improve care for cancer patients,” Onyango said.
The statistics were released during the launch of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya’s Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee, a move expected to strengthen locally generated cancer research and enhance ethical oversight of scientific studies.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the government is committed to ensuring healthcare policies and investments are guided by credible scientific evidence.
“We must rely on proven scientific evidence rather than guesswork because every decision we make in the health sector affects patients,” Duale said.
He noted that cancer remains one of Kenya’s leading public health challenges, claiming about 80 lives every day, and called for increased investment in early diagnosis, routine screening and public awareness campaigns.
“We should not wait until patients present themselves in hospitals with advanced disease. Early screening, early detection and community awareness are critical if we are to reduce the burden of cancer,” he added.
Duale also challenged the National Cancer Institute of Kenya to position the country as a regional centre for cancer research and clinical trials, saying the newly accredited ethics committee will help attract international collaborations while ensuring high standards in research.
National Cancer Institute of Kenya Chief Executive Officer Dr. Elias Melly described the committee as a major milestone, saying it will accelerate locally generated research and support the Ministry of Health’s vision of evidence-driven healthcare.
“Our goal is to generate quality evidence that informs policy and improves patient outcomes because the cancer patient remains at the centre of everything we do,” Melly said.
Representing the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Harriet Kinya presented the institute with its accreditation certificate, saying the committee will safeguard research participants while promoting scientific integrity, accountability and professionalism.
The government expects recent investments in radiotherapy infrastructure, coupled with stronger research and better data collection, to improve access to quality cancer care across the country.
