Kenya Moves from Commitment to Action on Cervical Cancer Elimination

Last week, COWHA participated in the National Symposium and official launch of Kenya’s National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan (NCCEAP) 2026–2030, convened by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) under the Ministry of Health.

The launch was presided over by Hon. Aden Duale, Cabinet Secretary for Health, and Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms. Mary Muthoni. It marked a decisive moment for Kenya’s cervical cancer agenda, backed by strong political will and clear implementation intent.

Key takeaways from leadership and technical experts:

1. Sustained political leadership is non-negotiable: Hon. Aden Duale reaffirmed that cervical cancer elimination is a national priority, calling on Kenya to be the generation that ends this preventable disease.

2. Financing must match ambition: The Ministry of Health has secured agreements to ring-fence immunization financing, ensuring uninterrupted access to vaccines, including HPV, and is reviewing benefits under the Primary Healthcare Fund to fully cover cervical cancer services.

3. Accelerating the 90–70–90 pathway: Kenya is advancing reforms including a single-dose HPV vaccination schedule, expanded HPV DNA testing, self-sampling to increase screening uptake, and stronger referral and treatment pathways.

4. Equity and scale matter: Digital health innovations, county-level implementation, and workforce strengthening are central to reaching women and girls across all 47 counties.

5. Whole-of-government and society approach: Engagement with the education sector, civil society, survivors, and development partners was emphasized as critical to demand creation, trust, and accountability.

Inspired by proven success in Australia, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, COWHA reaffirms our commitment to:

• Driving policy alignment and accountability

• Championing HPV vaccination, screening, and timely treatment

• Amplifying women’s voices and advancing rights-based, people-centered care

We will continue to work alongside government and partners to ensure no girl is left unvaccinated, no woman unscreened, and no patient untreated in Kenya.