A new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner has been installed at the MIC Imaging Center in Thika, marking a major milestone in improving access to advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment in Central Kenya.
The facility’s 72-channel 3T MRI scanner the first of its kind in the region is expected to serve up to 80 patients daily, significantly cutting down long waiting times that have forced many to seek similar services in Nairobi.
According to the hospital’s chief radiologist, Dr. Daniel Somba, the new machine delivers high-resolution imaging that allows for faster and more accurate detection of complex neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.
“The scanner produces clearer, more detailed images, making it easier to identify subtle abnormalities and small joints. It’s a big step forward for cancer and neurological diagnostics in the region,” said Dr. Somba.
He added that the new technology supports a wide range of scans, including brain, spine, prostate, breast, liver, and pelvic imaging.
Currently, Kenya has about 50 MRI scanners in total, with most concentrated in Nairobi. This scarcity, Dr. Somba said, continues to deny many Kenyans in rural areas timely access to life-saving diagnostics.
Fredrick Muindi, a patient’s relative who used the new service, said the facility had saved his family both time and money.
“We were referred to Nairobi for a brain scan, but the queues were long everywhere. This new MRI in Thika has made things easier,” he said.
Dr. Joseph Mbaia, a General Manager at a local bank that financed the equipment, urged the government to expand the Social Health Authority (SHA) cover to include chronic illnesses such as cancer, saying this would cushion families from the heavy cost of medical care.
The new MRI unit is expected to not only enhance local healthcare delivery but also strengthen Kenya’s broader push to decentralize specialized medical services from Nairobi to county and regional facilities.
 scanner has been installed at the MIC Imaging Center in Thika, marking a major milestone in improving access to advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment in Central Kenya.){kind=link}