Cancer patients in Kirinyaga and neighbouring counties have found new hope and help closer home in the fight against the disease thanks to the Kerugoya Hospital Cancer Centre.
The facility, holds regular support sessions every first Thursday of the month. This has become a game-changer in the fight against cancer by providing affordable care, psychological support, and early screening services closer to home
Since its inception in 2016, the Kerugoya Hospital Cancer Centre has supported over 3000 patients living with various forms of cancer, drastically reducing the need for costly travel to far-off referral hospitals. Patients can now receive treatment while close to their families, restoring hope and reducing the stigma often associated with cancer.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru described the cancer centre as a landmark facility that is not only improving access to care but also saving lives across the county and the larger Mt. Kenya region.
“With the cancer centre, many people in Kirinyaga can now access the care they need under one roof, surrounded by their loved ones, and without the burden of travelling long distances to referral hospitals,” Waiguru said.
The governor noted that cancer continues to pose serious socio-economic challenges, including loss of productivity, the high cost of treatment, and premature deaths, which threaten development goals.
“In 2020, the Global Cancer Observatory estimated over 42,000 new cancer cases and more than 27,000 cancer-related deaths in Kenya. Here in Kirinyaga, one in every ten deaths is linked to cancer, making it the second leading cause of premature death in our county,” Waiguru noted.
She urged residents to embrace routine cancer screening, emphasizing that early detection remains key to successful treatment.
The centre offers screening for various cancers, including breast, prostate, and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as consultations, health education, and follow-up care.
According to Oncology Nurse Robert Karanja, the facility tends to about 150 patients every month.
“We conduct screenings, provide consultations, guide patients through treatment, and ensure consistent follow-ups. Breast cancer is the most common diagnosis we handle, accounting for approximately 23% of cases,” said Karanja.
He added that every new patient receives counselling and is introduced to a support group for ongoing encouragement.
Patients themselves have spoken highly of the centre’s impact on their lives. Alice Muriuki, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, shared her journey of recovery after receiving eight chemotherapy sessions and 15 rounds of radiotherapy.
“This clinic has helped me so much. I was traumatized at first, but coming here gave me hope. The doctors ensure we eat well, receive proper medication, and we have a strong support group that keeps us going,” said Alice.
Another patient, Luka Wanjohi, who has been living with prostate cancer since 2022, echoed similar sentiments. After starting treatment at Kerugoya Hospital Cancer Centre, he underwent further care at Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital.
“I have like the services at this cancer centre. The staff are friendly, and we encourage each other here. I am grateful to the county government for giving us this facility,” Wanjohi echoed.
For Samuel Warui, who has battled colon cancer since 2013 and undergone seven surgeries, the Kerugoya Cancer Centre has been life-changing. Having previously spent two years at Kenyatta National Hospital, where transport and treatment costs were overwhelming, Warui now attends clinics at the centre at a subsidized cost.
“I have done 12 chemotherapy sessions and 30 radiotherapy sessions. This centre has made care accessible for me, and I am thankful to the county for taking care of us as cancer patients,” Warui said.
The centre continues to offer not just treatment, but also dignity, hope, and a supportive community for cancer warriors across Kirinyaga County.
