Kenya is grappling with a growing cancer crisis that is hitting low-income households the hardest, as the disease continues to push thousands into financial hardship. Health experts warn that cancer has become both a medical emergency and an economic disaster for many families already living on the margins.
A Diagnosis That Derails Lives
For many Kenyans, receiving a cancer diagnosis marks the beginning of a long and costly struggle. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer have surged across the country, now accounting for more than half of hospital admissions and nearly one-third of all deaths.
A recent World Bank report highlights the scale of the problem: households affected by NCDs experience a 29% drop in income—more than double the impact seen with other illnesses. Even diagnostic testing is out of reach for many. Basic screenings for breast cancer can cost up to KSh 40,100 in public hospitals and KSh 120,500 in private facilities, surpassing the annual budgets of millions of households.
This financial barrier means that up to 80% of cancer cases in Kenya are detected at an advanced stage, when treatment is both more expensive and less effective.
The Crushing Cost of Treatment
Once diagnosed, families often face impossible choices. Cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, can deplete savings, force the sale of assets, or plunge households into debt. Out-of-pocket health payments already push 1.1 million Kenyans into poverty annually, according to national data.
While the Social Health Authority (SHA)—formerly NHIF—offers some relief, gaps remain. Until recently, cancer benefits were capped, with limited coverage for radiotherapy sessions.
On November 20, 2025, President William Ruto announced an increase in cancer treatment cover from KSh 550,000 to KSh 800,000, effective December 1, to reduce the burden on affected families. However, cancer survivors and advocates say more comprehensive coverage is still needed.
Systemic Gaps and Emerging Solutions
Kenya’s oncology infrastructure remains heavily centralized in Nairobi, forcing rural patients to incur additional travel, accommodation, and logistical costs. Studies continue to point to major systemic gaps, including:
- high treatment and diagnostic costs
- limited public awareness
- long travel distances to specialized centres
- inadequate policy implementation
There are, however, promising signs of progress.
In May 2025, the Ministry of Health and Roche East Africa reached an agreement to reduce the cost of certain breast cancer treatments from KSh 120,000 per session to KSh 40,000—a significant breakthrough for patients.
The government is also expanding cancer registries and partnering with global research bodies such as IARC to strengthen data collection and inform better policy. Additionally, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya is funding new research to tackle the country’s growing cancer burden.
A Crisis Demanding Urgent Action
Despite these advances, thousands of Kenyan families continue to battle the dual threat of illness and financial ruin. Advocates say the solution lies in a multi-layered approach: decentralizing cancer treatment, expanding insurance benefits, improving early detection programmes, and boosting public awareness.
Until then, for many Kenyans, a cancer diagnosis remains a life-changing blow—one that brings not just physical suffering, but deep economic pain.