The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI Kenya) has appointed Elias Kipchumba Melly as its substantive Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2026.

The announcement was made by the Chairman and Board of Trustees following a recruitment process described as competitive and rigorous.

The appointment is expected to guide leadership at the institute in strengthening cancer prevention, treatment and research programmes.

Leadership mandate

The Board confirmed Melly’s appointment in an X post dated May 8, 2026, noting that he will oversee strategic leadership at the national cancer institution.

“The Board congratulates Elias Melly on his appointment and extends best wishes as he leads the Institute in advancing cancer care in Kenya,” the official statement read.

Melly is expected to oversee cancer care delivery across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and palliative services within the national health framework.

Academic and professional background

Melly holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from Moi University, a Master of Medicine in Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine from Alexandria University in Egypt, a Master of Public Health from Moi University and a Master of Business Administration from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

He previously served as Senior Medical Specialist and Head of the Haemato-Oncology Directorate at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. He also worked as Adjunct Faculty at Moi University School of Medicine and contributed to research under the AMPATH Oncology Institute.

His international experience includes training and collaboration with cancer centres in the United States, including Indiana University, Stanford University, University of California, San Diego and the University of Minnesota.

Global and institutional roles

Melly serves as Cancer Country Counterpart Lead for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He is also a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the Global Oncology Working Group under the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI), and the Africa Oncology Cancer Network (AOCN).

He is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), the Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO), the Clinical Radiation Oncology Society of Kenya (CROSK), the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

Cancer burden and institutional focus

The appointment comes as Kenya continues to address a rising cancer burden. The institute is expected to focus on strengthening research, improving access to oncology services, and enhancing partnerships in cancer care delivery across the country and internationally.