It is the 16th African country to embark on such a programme.

The vaccine will be given to 10-year-olds, and the authorities are hoping to reach 800,000 in the first 12 months.

The government has 1.3 million doses of the vaccine that will be offered alongside other routine infant vaccines through public, private and faith-based health facilities.

President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the campaign in the coastal city of Mombasa with a call to Kenyans to take charge of their health by going for regular cancer screenings.

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Doctors from the Catholic Church have opposed the campaign alleging that the vaccine could cause severe side effects, including brain damage, seizures or paralysis.

No side effects have been reported in countries where the vaccine has been rolled out.

The president, himself a Catholic, told off critics opposed to the vaccine.

“Let us not forget what science says about vaccines. Even if we can’t eradicate it, at least we can minimise it by protecting our children and families," he said.

Health Secretary Sicily Kariuki said two doses of the vaccine will be given six months apart.

Data from the health ministry show that more than 3,200 women died from cervical cancer last year. Overall, there were 5,250 cases.