KNH Announces Temporary Suspension of LINAC Cancer Treatment Machine Following Technical Failure
NAIROBI, Kenya – May 28, 2025 — Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the largest referral and teaching hospital in Kenya, has announced that one of its primary cancer treatment machines, the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Elekta, has suffered an unexpected technical failure and is currently out of service. The announcement was made in an official statement released on Wednesday, May 28.
In its statement, the hospital emphasized that while the outage is a significant disruption, immediate steps are being taken to mitigate the impact on cancer patients who rely on the LINAC machine for radiotherapy. The hospital has already activated a series of contingency plans to ensure continuity of care, including referrals to other facilities and the reactivation of a previously inoperative cancer treatment machine.
“Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) wishes to inform the public that our Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Elekta machine, a vital piece of equipment in the treatment of cancer patients, has experienced an unexpected technical failure and is currently out of service,” the statement read.
Efforts to Mitigate Disruption to Patient Care
According to KNH, the failure of the LINAC machine poses a significant challenge to oncology services, as the machine is central to the hospital’s radiation therapy program. However, the hospital assured the public that patient care remains a top priority and that a robust referral protocol has been enacted to address patient needs without delay.
“We recognize the critical importance of uninterrupted oncology services, and we immediately activated referral protocols to safeguard patient care,” the statement continued.
The hospital has redirected patients requiring immediate radiotherapy treatment to partnering healthcare institutions within Nairobi and beyond, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders. In addition, the hospital has enhanced the utilization of its existing radiotherapy infrastructure to bridge the treatment gap caused by the LINAC’s failure.
Partial Restoration Through Operational Cobalt Radiotherapy Machine
In a positive development, KNH also reported that the hospital’s Cobalt radiotherapy machine, which had previously been non-operational due to technical issues, has been fully restored and is now functional. This provides a partial solution to the challenge posed by the LINAC machine’s breakdown.
“KNH is also pleased to inform the public that the Cobalt radiotherapy machine, which had previously broken down, has now been fully restored and is operational,” the statement said.
The restored Cobalt-60 unit, though older than the LINAC, is capable of delivering essential external beam radiation therapy and is currently being utilized to accommodate some of the patient load previously handled by the LINAC Elekta unit.
Background: The Role of LINAC in Cancer Treatment
The Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is a state-of-the-art machine used in radiotherapy to treat various types of cancer. Unlike older technologies, LINAC machines offer more precise and targeted radiation delivery, which minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues. At KNH, the Elekta LINAC machine has been instrumental in administering high-energy X-rays to patients, playing a critical role in treating head and neck cancers, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and other malignancies.
The machine’s failure has drawn attention to the vulnerability of oncology services in the country, particularly in public healthcare institutions that often face resource constraints, aging infrastructure, and delays in procurement and repair of specialized medical equipment.
Fast-Tracked Procurement of Replacement LINAC
In response to the failure, KNH also announced that it is expediting the procurement of a replacement LINAC machine through the appropriate public tendering procedures. The hospital underscored its commitment to restoring full oncology services as quickly as possible, noting that the acquisition process is being prioritized by hospital leadership and government authorities.
“In the meantime, the procurement process for a replacement LINAC machine is being fast-tracked through the appropriate tendering procedures to restore full oncology services at the earliest possible time,” the statement concluded.
While no specific timeline was provided for the arrival and installation of the new machine, sources within the Ministry of Health indicated that the procurement is expected to be completed within the next several months, subject to logistical and regulatory approvals.
Wider Implications for Kenya’s Cancer Care System
The temporary outage at KNH highlights ongoing challenges in Kenya’s cancer care infrastructure. According to the Kenya Cancer Policy (2019–2030), the country has seen a steady rise in cancer cases, now ranking as the third leading cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. Public health institutions, including KNH, bear the brunt of treatment for low- and middle-income patients, many of whom cannot afford care in private facilities.
Experts have long advocated for greater investment in cancer care technology and workforce capacity to address the growing burden. Dr. Gladys Mugambi, Director of Medical Services at the Ministry of Health, commented on the development, urging for continued prioritization of oncology services.
“The situation at KNH is a reminder that cancer care must remain a national health priority. We must ensure that hospitals are equipped not only with advanced technology but also with the maintenance support needed to sustain these services long-term,” Dr. Mugambi stated in a separate interview.
In 2024, the government announced plans to establish six regional cancer treatment centers in Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Mombasa, Nyeri, and Garissa. However, implementation has faced delays due to funding and logistical issues.
Public Reactions and Patient Concerns
News of the LINAC machine’s failure has caused concern among patients and caregivers. Some have expressed anxiety over delays in treatment schedules, while others voiced gratitude for the transparency and efforts by KNH to manage the crisis.
Esther Njeri, a cervical cancer patient who has been receiving treatment at KNH, said, “It’s scary to hear the machine is down, but I appreciate that the hospital is being honest and doing something to help us. I just hope the new machine comes quickly.”
Civil society groups, such as the Kenya Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO), have urged the government to establish an emergency fund for medical equipment maintenance and replacement to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Outlook and Next Steps
As KNH continues to operate with limited radiotherapy capacity, the focus remains on ensuring patient care is maintained through strategic partnerships and internal adjustments. Hospital officials have pledged to provide regular updates to the public and patients regarding progress in procuring the new LINAC machine.
Patients currently undergoing treatment or awaiting radiotherapy are advised to stay in contact with KNH’s oncology department for updates and referrals.
The situation underscores the broader need for sustainable healthcare investment, especially in high-burden disease areas such as oncology. With increasing demand for cancer treatment services in Kenya, the resilience of the public health infrastructure is being put to the test.
As KNH moves forward with its mitigation and recovery efforts, the national conversation on healthcare system preparedness and investment is likely to intensify.
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KNH Announces Temporary Suspension of LINAC Cancer Treatment Machine Following Technical Failure