Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has suspended radiotherapy for cancer patients to correct a detected error in its machines that could compromise the quality of treatment.

In a statement to media houses signed by the Corporate Affairs and Communication Manager Simon Ithai said a technical team is “working round the clock to restore normal service within the shortest time possible.”

However, he said: “Clinical team has assured that the treatment of the patients will not be adversely affected.”

The statement said all other cancer treatment services in the hospital will continue uninterrupted.

The equipment is designed to handle between eight and 10 patients a day.

It is however not clear when these services will resume.

The biggest referral hospital was earlier this year forced to send patients away in after two radiotherapy machines broke down.

This is despite there being more than 1,000 people on the waiting list, with appointments booked until 2017.

KNH and cancer awareness organisations estimate that about 40,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year, with 27,000 deaths, possibly due to inadequate treatment.