The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), a pivotal institution in the fight against one of the country’s deadliest health threats, is grappling with a severe staffing shortage that threatens to derail its core functions. With over 200 critical positions unfilled, the institute is now operating with a skeletal workforce, raising alarms about its capacity to provide essential cancer treatment and support services across the nation.
This troubling development came to the forefront during a recent session of the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture. Lawmakers expressed grave concern over the institute’s ability to effectively carry out its mission, especially given the revelation that only 33 out of a sanctioned 247 positions had been filled by June 2024. The staggering gap of 214 vacancies underscores the magnitude of the crisis, casting doubt on whether the NCI-K can meet the growing demand for cancer care services.
The issue was brought into sharper focus by an Auditor General’s report, which detailed the staffing deficiencies and warned of their potential impact on service delivery. Emmanuel Wangwe, the committee chair and Member of Parliament for Navakholo, underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that such a profound shortfall in human resources could undermine the effectiveness of the institute’s programs and compromise the wellbeing of countless patients who depend on its services for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.
NCI-K Chief Executive Officer Elias Melly confirmed the gravity of the problem and attributed the failure to fill the positions to budgetary constraints imposed by the National Treasury. According to Melly, although a recruitment phase was initiated in June 2024, limited funding for personnel emoluments hindered the institute’s ability to hire the required staff. He further explained that while efforts are underway to seek an exemption for a second phase of recruitment, broader financial limitations continue to hamper progress. Nonetheless, he reassured the committee that the board is actively working to enhance the institute’s staffing capacity, albeit within the confines of the current fiscal environment.
Beyond staffing woes, the committee also flagged governance issues within the NCI-K, particularly concerning the size of its board. The institute’s board composition reportedly exceeds the recommended cap of nine members, prompting the committee to urge alignment with Ministry of Health guidelines to ensure streamlined and effective governance.
In response to the committee’s concerns, Wangwe reiterated the institute’s critical role in Kenya’s healthcare landscape, emphasizing the importance of resolving the staffing and administrative issues to enable the NCI-K to operate at its full potential. Describing cancer as “a more terrible animal than corruption,” his remarks underscored the urgency with which the crisis must be addressed.
The NCI-K’s challenges arrive at a time when cancer cases in Kenya are on the rise, and the need for well-staffed, well-equipped treatment centers is more pressing than ever. Without swift and sustained intervention, the shortfall in personnel may severely hinder the country’s efforts to combat the disease and support the thousands of Kenyans who rely on the institute each year.
