Pneumonia, cancer, and heart-related conditions have emerged as the top killers in Kenyan hospitals, according to new data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
Between 2020 and 2024, these three ailments consistently ranked among the top causes of death in the country’s health facilities.
The Kenya Vital Statistics Report paints a grim picture of the nation’s battle with preventable and manageable diseases.
Despite investments in healthcare, the same conditions continue to claim thousands of lives yearly, exposing gaps in treatment, prevention, and health policy.
KNBS Report on Deadliest Diseases Unveils a Health Crisis
The KNBS report documents hospital-registered deaths across Kenya between 2020 and 2024, offering a clear look into what is killing Kenyans.
In 2020, cardiac arrest was the leading cause of death, with 9,332 fatalities. Pneumonia followed closely with 9,061 deaths, while cancer took third place with 6,078 reported cases. These three diseases alone accounted for a significant portion of the 99,355 deaths recorded in health facilities that year.
From 2021 onward, pneumonia took over as the leading cause of death, peaking in 2021 with a staggering 15,468 fatalities—the highest number ever recorded in the country for a single illness in a year.
Pneumonia maintained its lead through 2024, averaging over 11,000 deaths annually. Cancer overtook cardiac arrest to become the second leading cause of death, pushing heart-related deaths to third place in subsequent years.
The data shows not only the consistency of these top killers but also emerging threats. Kidney disease, once a relatively lower-ranked cause of death, has seen a troubling rise. From 2,585 deaths in 2020, cases surged to 4,247 in 2024.
The jump has raised concerns about access to treatment, especially under the newly formed Social Health Authority (SHA). Many Kenyans have reported gaps in kidney care coverage under SHA, which could be fueling the spike.
Other rising killers in 2024 included:
- Hypertension (5,035 deaths)
- Anaemia (4,572 deaths)
- Cardiovascular disease (7,478 deaths)
- Injuries (4,574 deaths)
- Diabetes (3,822 deaths)
Pneumonia, cancer, and Cardiac Arrest Kill More Men Than Women
The report breaks down mortality data by gender, revealing worrying trends. In 2023 and 2024, pneumonia and cancer were the top two causes of death among men. Sepsis, which ranked fifth in 2023 for men, dropped out of the top 10 by 2024.
For women, cancer emerged as the leading killer in 2024, with 4,498 registered deaths. Pneumonia remained consistently among the top two over the five-year period.
Across both genders, cardiac arrest maintained a top-three position throughout. The continued dominance of these diseases among both men and women raises questions about early diagnosis, awareness campaigns, and healthcare access—especially in rural areas.
Diseases such as sepsis, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, meningitis, and diabetes were also flagged among the top contributors to in-hospital deaths during the five years.
KNBS Report Shows Deadliest Diseases Also Claiming Lives of Children and Infants
The crisis is just as severe for Kenya’s youngest. Prematurity and birth asphyxia were the leading causes of death among infants between 2020 and 2024. In 2024 alone, these two factors accounted for 26.7% of all registered infant deaths. Pneumonia and respiratory infections followed closely, except in 2023 when other factors overtook them briefly.
Among children under five years, prematurity, birth asphyxia, and pneumonia remained the consistent top killers. These conditions are largely preventable with proper prenatal care and early interventions, yet they continue to dominate the charts.
In the 5–14 age group, pneumonia led in most years, with anaemia surprisingly taking the top spot in 2024. The shift signals possible underlying issues such as poor nutrition, late diagnosis, or gaps in school-based health programs.
Urgent Need for Reforms in Kenya’s Health Sector
The KNBS report is more than a set of statistics—it’s a national wake-up call. Despite decades of policy promises and increased health budgets, the same illnesses are cutting short Kenyan lives year after year.
Experts are calling for:
- Early diagnosis and mass screenings, especially for cancer and heart conditions
- Investment in critical care equipment, including ventilators and dialysis machines
- Community-based education on disease prevention and symptoms
- Accountability in public health funding, especially under SHA
If the government doesn’t act fast, the same diseases will continue to dominate KNBS reports in the years ahead. Kenya has the tools and resources to prevent many of these deaths. The challenge lies in turning data into action.
