By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 29 January 2026 - The government’s latest pledge on cancer care, delivered from the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, signals more than political reassurance—it points to a recalibration of how Kenya finances, plans, and delivers cancer treatment in an era of rising diagnoses and public anxiety.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s confirmation of an additional Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine for the Coast General Cancer Centre is a concrete intervention in a system long strained by equipment shortages, long waiting lists, and catastrophic out-of-pocket spending.
With the new machine, the facility will operate two LINACs, effectively doubling its daily radiotherapy capacity from about 70 patients to 140. In health systems terms, that is not a marginal gain; it is a backlog-busting move in a region that serves not just Mombasa, but much of the Coast and parts of Lower Eastern.
But hardware is only one layer of the announcement. Duale’s emphasis on pooled procurement of imaging reagents through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) addresses a quieter but equally damaging bottleneck: inconsistent supply chains that disrupt diagnosis and delay treatment. Imaging reagents are the backbone of cancer staging and monitoring.
When they run out, even the most advanced machines sit idle, and patients lose precious time.
Centralised procurement, if executed transparently and efficiently, could stabilise supplies and improve planning across regional cancer centres.
The financing angle may be the most politically and socially consequential. By increasing the oncology benefits package under the Social Health Authority (SHA) from KSh 500,000 to KSh 800,000 per person or household, the government is acknowledging a hard truth: cancer is not just a medical crisis, it is a poverty trap.
Thousands of Kenyan families are pushed into debt or asset sales following a cancer diagnosis.
Expanding the cover does not eliminate that risk, but it meaningfully cushions households against ruin, especially when combined with expanded regional treatment capacity that reduces travel and accommodation costs.
Duale’s remarks were deliberately framed within Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder that prevention, early detection, and treatment must move together.
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Kenyan women, despite being largely preventable and treatable when caught early.
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Expanding radiotherapy capacity without parallel investment in screening and follow-up would blunt the impact.
The policy signal, however, suggests a growing recognition that cancer control must be systemic, not episodic.
The presence of Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherif Nassir highlighted another critical dimension: national-county collaboration. Nassir’s call for cooperation to construct a dedicated regional cancer ward speaks to the need for continuity of care. Cancer patients do not just need machines; they need beds, oncology-trained staff, follow-up systems, and psychosocial support. A regional ward would ease referrals, improve monitoring, and reduce treatment interruptions—an often-overlooked contributor to poor outcomes.
From a health policy perspective, the Coast General upgrade reflects a broader shift towards decentralising specialised care.
For years, Kenyatta National Hospital has borne the brunt of cancer referrals, creating congestion and inequity. Strengthening regional hubs like Mombasa is essential if universal health coverage is to be more than a slogan.
Still, the real test lies ahead. Equipment must be matched with skilled personnel, maintenance budgets, and accountability in procurement. Financing promises must translate into seamless claims processing under SHA.
And public awareness campaigns must ensure that increased capacity is met with earlier presentation, not late-stage desperation.
For now, the message from Mombasa is clear: cancer care is moving closer to patients, and the state is putting both money and machines behind its commitments.
Whether this moment becomes a turning point or another well-intentioned headline will depend on execution—but for thousands of patients along the Coast, the additional LINAC and expanded cover already represent something tangible: time, access, and a fighting chance.
