Communicable diseases now top killer in Kenya

A 3D illustration of secondary tuberculosis infection in lungs.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Communicable diseases were the leading cause of death in Kenya in 2023, knocking off non-communicable diseases (NCDs) from the top spot in a historic shift, a fresh report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows.

The latest Kenya Vital Statistics data shows that communicable diseases accounted for 43.4 percent of deaths in 2023, up from 32.8 percent in 2022 - a stark increase that points to a major national health challenge, with infectious diseases such as respiratory infections, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria claiming more lives than ever before.

Historically, NCDs such as cancer, stroke, and diabetes have been the leading cause of death worldwide, but in 2023 they accounted for 39.1 percent of deaths, down from 44.1 percent in 2022.

According to the Ministry of Health, NCDs account for more than 40 percent of all deaths and more than half of all hospital admissions, with diabetes emerging as a major concern.

Communicable diseases are spread through direct contact, contaminated food and water, or insect vectors. In contrast, NCDs, which often result from long-term health consequences of acute infections, typically require ongoing treatment and care.

Elisha Odhiambo, a public health specialist, warns that factors such as emerging outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, and gaps in immunisation are fuelling this increase.

"The resurgence of infectious diseases as the leading cause of death highlights gaps in our health system, including immunisation coverage and disease surveillance," he said.

The rise in deaths from infectious diseases, injuries, and maternal complications, he says, calls for urgent action to strengthen health infrastructure, improve disease prevention strategies, and expand access to quality health care.

"The numbers speak for themselves. If we do not act now, we risk reversing decades of progress in national and global health," warned Dr Odhiambo.

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects, Kenya reported a total of 399,024 in 2023.

“Pneumonia was the leading cause of death for the medically certified causes of death while sudden death was the leading cause of registered deaths in the community in the year 2022 and 2023. Cancer and cardiovascular diseases contributed to the highest percentage of non-communicable diseases. Causes of death according to the global burden of diseases accounted for the highest proportion of deaths, with communicable diseases contributing 43.4 percent and non-communicable diseases accounting for 39.1 percent,” said the report.

The diseases were classified according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) groups. The GBD provides a comprehensive picture of mortality and disability across countries, time, age, and sex.

Causes of death are categorised as communicable, non-communicable, maternal/perinatal, external injuries, and nutritional deficiencies, and change over time due to a number of factors, including advances in health care, changes in lifestyles, and the emergence of new diseases.

The report also revealed a worrying increase in injuries and accidents, which accounted for 9.6 percent of deaths in 2023, up from 6.8 percent in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for stricter safety regulations, improved emergency response systems, and greater awareness of road safety and workplace hazards.

Common causes include road traffic accidents, violence, self-harm, and environmental disasters.

In addition, maternal and perinatal causes increased significantly from 0.2 percent in 2022 to 7.5 percent in 2023, raising concerns about declining maternal health services and access to skilled birth attendants.

Esther Njoki, an obstetrician and gynecologist, said many maternal and newborn deaths are preventable through timely medical intervention, proper antenatal care, and adequate nutrition for pregnant women.

"No woman should die in childbirth. This increase in maternal deaths highlights the urgent need to strengthen maternal health services," said Dr Njoki.

Strengthening health systems, ensuring access to essential maternal services, and raising awareness of maternal health are critical to reversing this worrying trend.

Although not specifically highlighted in the data, malnutrition remains an underlying factor in many deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. Malnutrition weakens the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections and disease complications.

"Hunger and malnutrition remain silent killers, especially among children in low-income communities," said James Okoth, a clinical nutritionist.

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