Cancer patients stage protest outside SHA headquarters, demand better medical coverage
SHA currently provides Sh400,000 per person per year for cancer treatment, covering Sh100,000 for diagnostic tests such as PET and PSMA scans and Sh300,000 for treatment.
A group of cancer patients and health workers took to the streets of Nairobi on Tuesday, October 7, demanding better medical coverage and secure employment.
The protesters gathered outside the Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters in Upper Hill, insisting that the current funding for cancer treatment is not enough to meet the high costs of medication, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
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The demonstration, which started in the mid-morning, caused traffic slowdowns in Upper Hill as protesters waved flags, carried placards, and blew vuvuzelas to amplify their demands.
SHA currently provides Sh400,000 per person per year for cancer treatment, covering Sh100,000 for diagnostic tests such as PET and PSMA scans and Sh300,000 for treatment.
The agency says there are no limits on the number of sessions within this allocation, while household coverage stands at Sh550,000. Protesters argued that these amounts are inadequate for the actual cost of fighting cancer.
At the same time, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers also staged a march, moving from Green Park Terminus to the Ministry of Health offices at Afya House along Cathedral Road, Nairobi.
UHC staff from various counties demonstrate outside the Ministry of Health headquarters at Afya House on October 7, 2025, demanding permanent and pensionable terms. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)
The group marched to Afya House and the Ministry of Health headquarters before heading to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
They then proceeded to the National Treasury along Harambee Avenue, followed by a stop at the Council of Governors' offices located at Delta Place in Westlands.
The procession eventually concluded at Parliament Buildings, where they submitted petitions to the appropriate government offices.
Leading the healthcare workers were National Chairperson Desmond Wafula and National Secretary General Aka Mtai.
The leaders urged the Ministry of Health, the Public Service Commission, and the Council of Governors to promptly initiate the transition of all healthcare workers under the UHC programme to permanent and pensionable terms.
They emphasised that the transition should be implemented using funds already approved by the National Assembly in the 2025/2026 budget.
In addition, the demonstrators called for the immediate payment of gratuities to all UHC personnel, as stipulated in Gazette Notice No. 8091 dated October 12, 2020.
They also demanded the redesignation of job groups in accordance with each worker’s qualifications.
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