By Ashley Kariuki
In a significant milestone for Kenya’s healthcare sector, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale held a meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi at Afya House to advance the country’s fight against cancer.
The meeting focused on the growing partnership between Kenya and the IAEA in combating the country’s rising cancer burden currently at over 44,000 new cases and 28,500 deaths annually.
Projections indicate these numbers could double by 2040, underscoring the urgency of collaborative action.
“In a major step toward strengthening Kenya’s cancer response, I held a bilateral meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, at Afya House,” said CS Duale.
He emphasized that Kenya’s efforts are guided by the National Cancer Control Strategy 2023–2028 and are being implemented through the National Cancer Institute (NCI-K), with strong technical backing from the IAEA.
One of the key successes mentioned in the meeting was the impact of the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, which has so far donated two linear accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machines currently in use in Nakuru and Eldoret.
A third machine is expected to become operational in Mombasa soon.
“Through its Rays of Hope initiative, the IAEA has donated two LINAC radiotherapy machines now serving patients in Nakuru and Eldoret, with a third soon to be operational in Mombasa, cutting waiting times from six months to under one,” Duale stated.
The Cabinet Secretary appealed to the IAEA for additional support, particularly in underserved regions. “I appealed for two more LINACs for high-burden counties and welcomed continued IAEA support in nuclear medicine, imaging, early screening and digitizing cancer registries,” he added.
The talks were also attended by Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni (Public Health) and Korir Sing’oei (Foreign Affairs), as well as Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth and other senior officials from the Ministry of Health.
The meeting reaffirmed the government’s dedication to improving cancer care and leveraging international partnerships to enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
With increasing pressure on the country’s health infrastructure, the collaboration between Kenya and the IAEA is expected to play an important role in closing existing care gaps, especially in remote and high-burden counties.