The Government of Kenya has officially launched the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030, a five-year strategy developed with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to accelerate prevention, early detection, and treatment of cervical cancer. The plan is designed to strengthen national health systems, improve service coverage, and reduce the burden of this largely preventable disease.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Kenya, with an estimated 5,845 new cases and 3,600 deaths each year. Globally, it ranks as the fourth most common cancer among women, causing approximately 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths annually, with 90% of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Africa accounts for nearly a quarter of global cervical cancer deaths. Despite being preventable through HPV vaccination and early screening, many Kenyan women are diagnosed at advanced stages due to limited access to services.
The Action Plan aligns with WHO’s global cervical cancer elimination targets (90-70-90), aiming for 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70% of women to be screened using a high-performance test by ages 35 and 45, and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease to receive appropriate treatment. The strategy is costed, results-oriented, and emphasizes equity, quality, and national scale-up to ensure broad and effective coverage.
Building on Kenya’s national HPV vaccination program launched in 2019, the country transitioned to a single-dose HPV vaccination schedule in November 2025, in line with WHO recommendations. This simplification is intended to improve vaccine coverage. During this transition, WHO supported the Ministry of Health to train over 11,000 health workers nationwide, enhancing capacity for vaccine delivery and cervical cancer services.
The Action Plan prioritizes integrating cervical cancer services into primary health care through initiatives such as the Women Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) project. Implemented in Nyandarua and Bungoma Counties with WHO support, WICS provides combined screening for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and common non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and mental health conditions, reaching at least 10,000 women.
Additional goals include expanding access to HPV DNA testing, introducing self-sampling to boost screening uptake, strengthening referral pathways, and leveraging digital health technologies to reach women across all 47 counties. These measures aim to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment while improving accessibility for underserved populations.
Dr. Boston Zimba, speaking on behalf of WHO Representative Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, emphasized that coordinated action across prevention, screening, and treatment is key to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem in Kenya. He highlighted that strong political will, community engagement, and sustained partnerships are essential to ensure that every woman, regardless of location, has access to life-saving services, paving the way toward a future free from cervical cancer for Kenyan women.
