The cost of treating several types of cancer in Kenya is set for a major drop after President William Ruto announced an agreement with Pfizer that will see the price of some medicines fall by as much as 95 per cent.
Under the deal signed between the pharmaceutical company and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), some cancer medicines that have been costing patients up to Sh1 million for one treatment cycle will now be available for less than Sh50,000.
Ruto announced the changes on Monday, August 31, 2026, following the signing of the Accord for a Healthier World at State House Nairobi.
The meeting brought together Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. Burns, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and senior officials from Pfizer.
The President said the agreement would improve access to treatment for patients suffering from some of the most common and serious forms of cancer.
The medicines covered under the arrangement are used in the treatment of breast cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, oesophageal cancer, leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Ruto said the reduction would make it easier for patients to access medicines that have remained costly, while also giving more people a chance to complete their treatment.
“Today, Kenya has made a major breakthrough in the treatment of several cancers following the signing of a consequential agreement with Pfizer, a United States multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation. Consequently, prices of medicines for the treatment of breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, oesaphagus, leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma cancers have reduced remarkably by more than 7 times,” Ruto stated.
The President also said the new arrangement would have a direct effect on the cancer care package offered through the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The existing SHA cancer package provides Sh800,000 for treatment, and Ruto said the sharp fall in medicine prices would allow the amount to cover the cost of treatment without patients having to look for additional money in many cases.
“In some instances, the cost has reduced from as high as Ksh1 million to less than Ksh50,000 per cycle. The impact of the agreement between Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supply Authority (KEMSA) – titled Accord for a Healthier World – will make the Ksh800,000 Social Health Authority (SHA) cancer package fully adequate without additional cost to patients,” Ruto stated.
The new arrangement could therefore ease the pressure on families that have been forced to raise large amounts of money to pay for cancer medicines.
Ruto further said the agreement would address another challenge facing cancer patients by improving access to newer medicines.
According to the President, Kenyan patients can currently wait for as long as 10 years before some of the newer cancer treatments become available.
Through the partnership with Pfizer, Kenya is expected to gain access to newer medicines earlier, reducing the time patients have to wait for some of the latest treatments.
Ruto said the agreement would also support the government's efforts to expand Universal Health Coverage by making cancer medicines more affordable to patients.
The President also placed the deal within Kenya's plans to grow its pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
As the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Commodities, Ruto said he was encouraged by Pfizer's intention to make newer technologies and medicines available for local pharmaceutical production on the continent.
He said the development would support Kenya's efforts to build its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on medicines brought into the country from outside.
The agreement therefore brings together two key areas of the government's health plans — lowering the cost of cancer treatment while creating opportunities for access to newer medicines and pharmaceutical production in Africa.