Dr. Catherine Nyongesa Applauds Strengthened Global Collaboration in Kenya’s Cancer Fight
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Nairobi, Kenya — Leading oncologist and founder of Texas Cancer Center, Dr. Catherine Nyongesa, has lauded the government’s enhanced partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), terming it a game-changer in strengthening cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in Kenya.
Her remarks follow a high-level bilateral meeting between IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and senior Kenyan health officials at Afya House. The talks aimed to accelerate implementation of Kenya’s National Cancer Control Strategy 2023–2028, with a focus on early detection, imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy.
Kenya records over 44,000 new cancer cases and 28,500 deaths annually — numbers projected to double by 2040 without urgent intervention.
“This partnership is about restoring dignity to cancer care,” said Dr. Nyongesa. “With modern diagnostic tools and expanded radiotherapy access, we are rewriting the story for thousands of patients.”
Already, the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative has delivered two LINAC radiotherapy machines to Nakuru and Eldoret, dramatically reducing treatment wait times. A third is set to be commissioned in Mombasa, with Kenya requesting two more for counties with high cancer prevalence.
Dr. Nyongesa emphasized the importance of these developments in narrowing access gaps, especially in underserved regions. “Every new machine, every trained professional, brings us closer to a future where cancer is no longer a death sentence.”
Also present at the bilateral meeting were Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni (Public Health), Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’oei (Foreign Affairs), and Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth.
With Texas Cancer Center treating thousands annually, Dr. Nyongesa affirmed that strategic partnerships and sustained investment are critical. “This is leadership with impact. With unity and innovation, we won’t just treat cancer — we’ll beat it.”
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