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We’re waiting for death: Agony of cancer patients as SHA falls short
Cancer patients (from left): Eglah Wambui, Robert Marine, Agnes Waceke and Margaret Wanjiru.
What you need to know:
- "My family is tired of this disease, which has been a burden since 2022. I separated from my husband because of it," says Margaret Wanjiru.
- "Each injection costs Sh46,000—where am I supposed to get the money for the remaining 10 injections?" says Agnes Waceke, a single mother.
Exactly one year after the launch of the Social Health Authority (SHA), cancer patients have taken to the streets of Nairobi to demand a better oncology package.
In their petition to the Ministry of Health and SHA, the Kenya Network of Cancer Organisations (Kenco), representing over 70 civil society groups and patients, said that the oncology package was slashed from Sh600,000 per individual under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to Sh400,000 per household—or Sh550,000 if supported by the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
Cancer patients protest outside Afya House in Nairobi, where they presented a petition calling for improved oncology package under the Social Health Authority.
"A HER2-positive breast cancer patient, for example, requires at least 18 cycles of targeted therapy, which costs on average Sh33,000 per cycle in public health facilities and twice that amount in private facilities," said Prisca Githuka, vice chairperson of Kenco.
Eglah Wambui, breast cancer survivor
Eglah Wambui, a breast cancer survivor, during the procession at the Ministry of Health in Nairobi on October 7, 2025.
"My fight for survival started in August 2021, when I was diagnosed with stage 3A breast cancer. The diagnosis came with fear, pain, financial pressure and an extensive treatment journey in 2022 that saw me undergo a mastectomy—the removal of one breast. This was then followed by gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
I was then placed on hormone therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. The therapy works by blocking the hormones that the cancer cells would use to grow. But the current oncology package is not enough. I started treatment, only for it to be cut short halfway. You go to Kenyatta National Hospital or Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, and they tell you that your card is exhausted. In my case, I receive one injection every three months, and each costs Sh40,000. Besides this, I take tablets of three different medications daily. This costs about Sh28,000 per month cumulatively.
I have taken these tablets for more than two years now. I have exhausted my savings. I depend on my family members fully because I am unemployed. Most of the money that I receive from my family goes into my treatment. They have grown tired. I came out here today because some essential drugs are covered by SHA, and some are not.”
Margaret Wanjiru, breast cancer survivor
Margaret Wanjiru, a breast cancer patient, during the procession at the Ministry of Health in Nairobi on October 7, 2025.
"In 2022, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I underwent chemotherapy, then surgery to remove the affected breast. Thereafter, I underwent 15 radiotherapy sessions and was declared cancer-free in 2023.
However, the relief only lasted a year. In 2024, the cancer returned, this time on the lining of my uterus. I was bleeding and went to a gynaecologist for a check-up. That's when they discovered the cancer had spread to the endometrium. I underwent a total hysterectomy and lost my womb, both ovaries, and cervix. I recovered and was again declared cancer-free.
Why am I out here today? In February this year, my doctor informed me that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in my armpit. I am currently on treatment. The drugs I use cost Sh80,040 per month. There was a month when SHA refused to pay, forcing me to fundraise for the medication.
Luckily, the hospital I attend has placed me on a programme that covers the drugs.
My current problem is that I was told to stop taking the drugs until I have a PET scan to evaluate how my body is responding to treatment. I should have had the scan in August. However, when I went to the hospital to have it done, I was told that since I had another PET scan in January, SHA couldn't pay for another one. I was told to wait for the new financial year. As a result, I haven't taken medicine for two months.
I went back earlier this month and applied. The request was approved, then declined within seconds. I presented my medical forms to SHA officials, but they told me that there was nothing they could do.
I was told to wait until February 2026 to get the PET scan. My family is tired of this disease, which has been a burden since 2022. I separated from my husband because of it. I am unemployed. This disease demands money. But I don't have it."
Agnes Waceke, breast cancer survivor
Agnes Waceke, a breast cancer survivor, during the procession at the Ministry of Health in Nairobi on October 7, 2025.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer last January, underwent six chemotherapy sessions, and was informed I would need 18 injections thereafter.
At the time, I was told to pay a year's worth of SHA contribution. I paid Sh6,700. However, SHA only covered half the medication, and my family had to fundraise for the rest. By July, I was told my cover had been exhausted, so I paid another Sh6,700 for a year's cover to complete my chemotherapy and begin my injections.
After eight injections, I was told the cover had been exhausted again. That is how I got stuck. I had been told the affected breast would be removed after the injections, but it hasn't been removed, and I don't have the money to pay. I am in constant pain. I can't sleep at night without painkillers. Each injection costs Sh46,000—where am I supposed to get the money for the remaining 10 injections? I am a single mother, and my children have contributed all they could.
Robert Marine, a childhood cancer survivor
Robert Marine, a childhood cancer survivor and Executive-Director Champions of Hope during the procession at the Ministry of Health.
“Most patients now are facing the end of life, which is very hurtful. We are burying so many people. We have many families right now selling properties because they don’t have money for their loved ones’ treatment.”
Standard chemotherapy costs Sh23,000 per session for eight sessions (Sh268,000), blood work Sh4,500 per cycle for eight cycles (Sh36,000), a CT scan Sh20,000, and a PET scan Sh53,400. Targeted therapy costs are staggering: Herceptin costs Sh33,800 per cycle for 18 cycles (Sh608,400), whilst Kadcyla costs Sh180,000 per cycle for 14 cycles (Sh2.32 million). Radiotherapy costs Sh3,600 per session for 30 sessions (Sh108,000), and surgery costs around Sh120,000.
“The direct cost of comprehensive treatment easily exceeds Sh3.8 million,” said Ms Githuka.
SHA chairperson Dr Abdi Mohamed explained that the authority is not responsible for changing benefits and tariffs.”The mandate lies with the Benefits and Tariffs Advisory Committee.
Prof Walter Jaoko, the chairperson of the committee, said the panel is currently receiving petitions and will soon formally advertise the process.
