Cancer cases handled at MTRH increase to over 25,000 annually

Senior Deputy Director for clinical services at MTRH Dr Andrew Wandera with Uasin Gishu First Lady Selina Bii speaking at the hospital on February 4, 2026.

Cancer has emerged as a major burden on Kenya’s healthcare system, with hospitals grappling with rising patient numbers and growing demand for specialised care.

At Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), the number of cancer patients handled annually has risen to more than 25,000.

MTRH Senior deputy director for clinical services Dr Andrew Wandera said the hospital hosts one of the country’s largest cancer treatment centres, offering comprehensive services including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and palliative care.

“We have the necessary personnel and equipment to offer quality, standard care to cancer patients,” he said.

Dr Wandera said the most common cancers treated at the facility include breast, cervical, prostate and colon cancers.

He said the country currently has more than 100,000 cancer patients undergoing treatment, with about 50,000 new cases diagnosed each year. He added that more than 30,000 people die from cancer annually.

To address the growing burden, he said the hospital is working with partners to strengthen cancer services, with a focus on early screening and diagnosis.

Wandera spoke during World Cancer Day celebrations at the hospital.

He flagged off a procession alongside Uasin Gishu Governor’s wife Mama Selina Bii and health chief officers Dr Paul Wangwe and Ambrose Tarus.

Selina called for intensified awareness campaigns to encourage residents to seek early cancer screening.

Wangwe said the county has 143 health facilities offering cancer screening services. He added that the county is well prepared to address cancer through partnerships with stakeholders.

The county has also rolled out a capacity-building programme for healthcare workers focusing on cancer management.

Governor Jonathan Bii and his deputy Evans Kapkea said the county would leverage collaborations with development partners to scale up cancer care and strengthen policy enforcement.

The county recently hosted a Swedish delegation led by Peter Berggren to advance collaboration in genetic counselling and genomics in partnership with Moi University.

Kapkea said strong partnerships and policy frameworks are critical to improving early detection and effective cancer management.

The engagement marked a step towards enhancing cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment through international collaboration.