Karua raises concern over rising cancer cases in Meru
By Kenneth Mwenda, February 14, 2026Meru is facing a growing cancer crisis, with families forced to sell land, livestock, and homes just to pay for treatment. The situation has worsened amid widespread corruption in Kenya’s healthcare system, where billions meant for patients are being siphoned off.
Martha Karua, who visited the county on Saturday, February 14, 2026, highlighted the plight of these families.
“Meru has rising cases of cancer! During my visit today, I was told of families who have had to sell everything to stay alive or to be able to afford their loved ones care in hospital while Sh11B is siphoned from the sick,” she said.
Karua urged young families to build their lives without the terror of medical debt.
“Families, especially young ones who are just starting out, should dream without the fear of medical debt bankrupting their homes.”
If elected president, Martha Karua vowed to reverse the trend by ensuring hospitals are well-funded and equipped.
“A Martha Karua government will ensure funds serve the needs of patients, not the greed of thieves. We will deliver quality healthcare as a guaranteed right, protected by the rule of law,” Karua stated.
“Every shilling will reach our hospitals and reduce the burden of costly healthcare that millions of Kenyans are unjustly facing,” she added.
Heavy cancer burden in Meru
Meru faces a heavy cancer load. A 2019 study analysed 2,349 cases at Meru Hospice from 2003 to 2018. It found stomach cancer as the top type at 13.76 per cent, followed by breast cancer at 11.93 per cent and oesophageal cancer at 11.03 per cent.
Cases split almost evenly between men and women. Researchers labelled Meru a stomach cancer hotspot with elevated oesophageal rates, similar to high-incidence areas globally.
In 2024, Gladys Mucee, Meru Hospice coordinator, reported rising cases in Buuri and Igembe sub-counties.
“We urgently need research into causes. Meru Hospice has handled the most cases nationwide, serving Mt Kenya East and upper Eastern regions,” Mucee said.
Cottolengo Mission Hospital diagnosed 545 cases in 2018 alone. Health Executive William Muraah linked poor cereal storage to aflatoxins, which increase cancer risks.
Kenya recorded 44,726 new cancer cases and 29,317 deaths in 2022. Cases rose from 37,000 in 2012 to 47,887 in 2018, with projections warning of a 120 per cent rise over the next two decades. Meru and Tharaka Nithi show prevalence rates of 0.32 per cent and 0.38 per cent among hospital visitors, with an upward trend over eight years.
The National Cancer Institute partnered with Meru in 2025 for free oesophageal screenings to investigate high stomach and oesophageal rates. Some residents blame toxic waste from early years, which may have seeped into Meru’s water supply.