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Malaria deaths in Kenya up 19 percent in a decade
Although deaths have increased, the number of cases has only shown modest improvement. Kenya’s malaria incidence fell from 67 cases per 1,000 people at risk in 2010 to 60 in 2023—a decline of 11 percent.
The number of people dying from malaria in Kenya has increased by 19 percent over the past decade, newly published data shows, despite significant investments in prevention and diagnosis.
A results report for 2025 by the Global Fund said malaria-related deaths in Kenya increased from 10,000 in 2010 to 11,000 in 2023, making the country one of the few African nations where malaria mortality has worsened.
This worrying trend raises concerns about Kenya’s ability to meet the global target of reducing malaria deaths by 90 percent by 2030.
The increase in malaria-related fatalities in Kenya highlights deep-seated challenges, including persistent regional disparities, particularly in the lake region.
Other contributing factors include the limited effectiveness of prevention programmes, growing resistance to insecticides and drugs, and climate change, which is extending mosquito breeding seasons and shifting transmission zones.
“For malaria, 2024 saw a mix of challenges and opportunities. Rising conflict, disruptions from extreme weather events, and increasing drug and insecticide resistance have complicated efforts to combat malaria,” said the Global Fund.
“While the goal of ending the disease by 2030 looks daunting, and the immediate priority is to restart stalled progress, partners engaged in the fight against malaria have a shared commitment to regaining momentum.”
Although deaths have increased, the number of cases has only shown modest improvement. Kenya’s malaria incidence fell from 67 cases per 1,000 people at risk in 2010 to 60 in 2023—a decline of 11 percent.
However, this is significantly lower than the progress seen in other African nations: Ghana, for instance, reduced its incidence by 47 percent, while Malawi achieved a 40 percent reduction.
This slow pace highlights the challenges of scaling up effective interventions and sustaining their impact.
Prevention efforts, particularly through the distribution of mosquito nets, remain a major weakness. Although the proportion of households with insecticide-treated nets increased from 39 percent in 2010 to 49 percent in 2023, actual usage only rose from 34 percent to 42 percent.
This indicates behavioural and cultural barriers that undermine prevention campaigns, which are crucial in public health initiatives.
To date, over 15 million nets have been delivered across 22 high-risk counties as part of Kenya's universal health coverage goals.
The proportion of suspected malaria cases that were tested increased significantly, rising from 32 percent in 2010 to 92 percent in 2023.
This achievement puts Kenya ahead of many of its peers, as almost all suspected cases are now confirmed before treatment, reducing the likelihood of misdiagnosis and promoting the rational use of antimalarial drugs.
From 2002 to 2024, Kenya received approximately $0.49 billion (Sh63.3 billion at the current exchange rate) in malaria programme funding from the Global Fund.
This investment has supported prevention, diagnostics, and community health programmes. However, the ongoing increase in malaria deaths highlights inefficiencies in how these resources are utilised locally.
Beyond national averages, malaria in Kenya is characterised by geographic concentration and changing risk patterns. Counties around Lake Victoria, such as Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Kakamega and Vihiga, have extremely high incidence rates, with some areas exceeding 700 cases per 1,000 people.
Meanwhile, regions that were traditionally low-risk, such as northern Kenya, are now experiencing increased malaria transmission due to climatic shifts, irregular rainfall, and environmental changes. Children under five and pregnant women remain the most vulnerable groups, bearing a significant proportion of the mortality burden.
In response to these challenges, Kenya has started rolling out the RTS,S malaria vaccine more widely. Initially piloted in the Western and Nyanza regions, it has now been rolled out to additional sub-counties, with the aim of providing four doses to children in areas with high transmission rates.
The World Health Organization's Global Technical Strategy for Malaria (2016–2030) aims to reduce malaria incidence and mortality by at least 90 per cent by 2030 compared to 2015 levels.
Kenya’s own malaria strategy for 2019–2023 aimed to reduce incidence and deaths by 75 percent compared to 2016 levels. However, current data suggest that the country is not on track to meet either target.
