CS Duale inaugurates National Cancer Institute Scientific and Ethics Review Committee
Nairobi, 16 Nairobi 2026 - Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has officially inaugurated the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee during his first official visit to the Institute’s headquarters in Nairobi.
The visit included a meeting with the NCI Board and Management to review progress in strengthening Kenya’s cancer response through specialised care, research and innovation.
The newly inaugurated Committee marks a significant milestone in advancing oncology research by providing a robust framework for ethical scientific research and clinical trials. It will support high-quality locally led research, strengthen international scientific collaboration, uphold ethical standards and facilitate access to emerging cancer diagnostics, medicines and treatment technologies.
The Cabinet Secretary and the Institute’s leadership also reviewed Kenya’s growing cancer burden and discussed strategies to enhance prevention, early detection and treatment. With an estimated 44,000 new cancer cases diagnosed annually and nearly 80 deaths recorded every day, the meeting emphasised the need to expand public awareness, increase access to affordable screening, promote early diagnosis and ensure timely access to quality treatment through a coordinated multi-sectoral approach.
The meeting further received the Kenya Cancer Statistics Dashboard 2024, a critical resource that will inform evidence-based policy, planning and investment in cancer control. The data shows that breast and cervical cancers remain the most common cancers among women, while prostate and oesophageal cancers are the leading cancers among men, together accounting for 58.5 per cent of all reported cancer cases nationally.
In line with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Ministry highlighted ongoing efforts to expand access to cancer care through the Social Health Authority (SHA) and strategic partnerships, including collaboration with Roche East Africa. These initiatives have reduced the cost of Herceptin treatment from KES 120,000 to KES 40,000 per session, with eligible SHA beneficiaries receiving treatment without co-payment. The partnerships have also improved access to essential oncology medicines, strengthened early detection programmes and enhanced the training of specialised healthcare professionals.
Addressing NCI staff, Hon. Duale underscored the importance of shifting Kenya’s cancer response towards prevention and early detection by integrating routine cancer screening into primary healthcare and everyday clinical practice. He noted that making cancer screening a standard component of patient care will improve early diagnosis, enhance treatment outcomes and save more lives.
The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Social Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi and Digital Health Agency Chief Executive Officer Eng. Anthony Lenayara. They were received by National Cancer Institute Board Chairperson Dr. Timothy Olweny, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Elias Melly and members of the Institute’s Board and Management.