By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 19 July 2026 - Residents of Kisumu County will benefit from a three-day free cancer screening and early detection campaign from 23rd to 25th July 2026 as the County Government partners with the Africa Cancer Foundation (ACF)to bring life-saving services closer to communities following the establishment of a cancer screening centre in the county.
The outreach programme, which marks the official rollout of ACF's grassroots mobile cancer screening initiative in Kisumu, will be conducted at Manyuanda Chief's Camp, Miruka Nomiya Church, and Nyiera in West Seme Ward.
The exercise is expected to attract hundreds of residents seeking free screening and preventive services.
The initiative follows the commissioning of the Africa Cancer Foundation's state-of-the-art Mobile Testing and Screening Truck during the Foundation's 15th Anniversary celebrations. Healthcare professionals drawn from county health facilities have since undergone intensive orientation and practical training on operating the mobile unit, paving the way for the launch of community-based cancer services.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o described cancer as one of the most pressing public health challenges facing society, stressing that early diagnosis remains the most effective weapon against the disease.
"Cancer remains one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. One fact is clear: when it is detected early, treated promptly and managed effectively, countless lives can be saved," the Governor said.
Governor Nyong'o, himself a cancer survivor, said his personal experience had reinforced his conviction that early diagnosis can make the difference between life and death.
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"As someone who has walked the cancer journey and survived, I know firsthand the value of early diagnosis. We are determined to ensure that every resident has access to quality cancer screening services regardless of where they live," he said.
During the three-day outreach, residents will receive a wide range of free services, including HPV testing and vaccination, cervical cancer screening, breast examinations and ultrasound services, prostate cancer screening, and biopsies where clinically indicated. Health professionals will also provide education on cancer prevention, risk factors and the importance of routine screening.
County health officials said the West Seme exercise marks the beginning of a broader countywide "mashinani" campaign that will progressively be rolled out across all wards, bringing specialised cancer services to communities that have traditionally faced barriers in accessing diagnosis and treatment.
Residents have been urged to attend the screening at the designated venues and encourage family members, neighbours and friends to participate, with health officials emphasizing that a simple conversation about screening could save a life.