Nairobi—The Government of Kenya has 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 the prevention, early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in Kenya, with an estimated 5 845 new cases and 3 600 deaths annually. Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with approximately 660 000 new cases and 350 000 deaths each year, 90% of which occur in low- and middle-income countries. Africa accounts for nearly a quarter of global cervical cancer deaths. Although the disease is largely preventable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and early screening, many women continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages due to gaps in access to services.

The Action Plan aligns with WHO's global cervical cancer elimination targets (90-70-90), which call for 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15, 70% of women to be screened using a high-performance test by ages 35 and 45, and 90% of women identified with cervical disease to receive appropriate treatment and care. The plan is costed and results-oriented, with a strong focus on equity, quality and national scale-up.

The strategy builds on Kenya's national HPV vaccination programme, introduced in 2019. In November 2025, Kenya transitioned to a single-dose HPV vaccination schedule, in line with WHO recommendations, to simplify delivery and improve coverage. During this transition, WHO supported the Ministry of Health to train more than 11,000 health workers nationwide, strengthening capacity for vaccine delivery and cervical cancer services.

The Action Plan emphasizes integration of services into primary health care, including through the ongoing Women Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) project. Currently being implemented in Nyandarua and Bungoma Counties with WHO support, WICS provides integrated screening for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and common non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and mental health conditions at primary health care level, targeting at least 10 000 women.

Additional priorities outlined in the Action Plan include expanding access to HPV DNA testing, introducing self-sampling to increase screening uptake, strengthening referral pathways, and leveraging digital health tools to extend services to women across all 47 counties. 

"Through coordinated action across prevention, screening and treatment, Kenya is strengthening its response to cervical cancer and advancing progress towards eliminating the disease as a public health problem," said Dr Boston Zimba, speaking on behalf of Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, WHO Representative to Kenya. "This Action Plan demonstrates Kenya's commitment to ensuring that every woman, regardless of where she lives, has access to lifesaving cervical cancer services. With strong political will, community engagement, and continued partnership, we can make cervical cancer elimination a reality for future generations of Kenyan women."