20 Top Killer Diseases in Kenya According to WHO

The most recent World Health Organization (WHO) data published in 2018 ranks Kenya at 132 in regards to life expectancy placing Males at 64.4, females at 68.9 and a total life expectancy of 66.7.  

Kenya as a developing country faces a number of challenges in combating most causes of death with a number of lifestyle diseases creeping into the list. Below is a list of 20 killer diseases in the country according to WHO.

• Diarrheal Diseases

Kenyans tend to ignore diarrheal and go for home remedies when it is apparently a top killer in the country.  

WHO data published in 2017 recorded Diarrheal disease Deaths in the country as 33,224 which translate to 11.80percent of the total deaths ranking Kenya at number five in the World. 

• Influenza and Pneumonia

Influenza Pneumonia is a top killer in the World with Kenya ranking at number 41 with 26,947 deaths which translate to 9.57 percent and a death rate of 89.41 per 100,000.

• HIV/AIDS

There has been improved awareness on how to avoid HIV infections but the rate does not seem to go down probably due to poverty or outright ignorance.

HIV/AIDS Deaths in Kenya are recorded to be at 29,911 or 10.62 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 75.25 per 100,000 ranking the country at number 23.

• Stroke

Stroke is mostly regarded as an old age disease but with the current lifestyle, it has become a threat to all generations.

Stroke Deaths in Kenya are recorded at 11,976 translating to 4.25 percent of total deaths with the death rate at 66.90 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 117 in the world.

•  Coronary Heart Disease

If you still don’t know about this one and it is at number five, you need some serious awareness.

Coronary Heart Disease Deaths are at 7,771 which is 2.76 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 44.20 per 100,000 ranking the country at position 180 in the world.

• Road Traffic Accidents

I am surprised road traffic accidents are not at position one too with all the great number of lives it has claimed.

Road Traffic Accidents Deaths are recorded at 14,032 or 4.98 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 39.22 per 100,000 of population ranking our country at position 16 in the world.

• Tuberculosis

There is a myth that most TB cases are HIV related, well, I am no medic and hence have no say on that.

Tuberculosis Deaths in Kenya for the past one year have been recorded as 8,885 which is 3.15 percent of the total deaths with a death rate of 39.16 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 44 in the world.

• Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Deaths in the country are recorded as 2,309 or 0.82 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 32.72 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 24 in the world.

• Malaria

Malaria is another old nagging headache that Africa has had to deal for the longest time.

In Kenya, Malaria Deaths reached 11,922 or 4.23 percent of total deaths with the death rate at 27.79 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya number 32 in the world.

• Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer Deaths in the country are recorded at 2,706 which is 0.96 percent of total deaths with the death rate at 23.39 per 100,000 of population ranking the country at position 19 in the world

• Liver Disease

Liver Disease Deaths are recorded at 5,214 or 1.85percent of total deaths with the death rate at 23.04 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at position 62 in the world.

• Hypertension

In Kenya, Hypertension Deaths reached 3,728 which is 1.32percent of total deaths with a death rate of 21.55 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 47 in the world.

• Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes, unlike centuries ago used to be associated with old age but in the current times, it is a threat to everyone and watching our lifestyle could go a long way in keeping it at bay.

Diabetes Mellitus Deaths in the country reached 3,740 which is 1.33percent of total deaths with a death rate of 19.98 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 113 in the world.

• Breast Cancer

It is most likely each one of us knows a breast cancer survivor or someone that lost their lives in the course. Awareness is largely done on this type of cancer that attacks both genders with a majority being women. Kenyans are encouraged to go for regular checkups and even do them themselves for early diagnosis which eases the treatment.

Breast Cancer Deaths in Kenya reached 2,367 or 0.84 percent of total deaths with death rate at 19.74 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 56 in the world.

• Lung Disease

In Kenya, Lung Disease Deaths are recorded as 3,272 or 1.16 percent of total deaths with the death rate at 19.15 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 116 in the world.

• Oesophagus Cancer

Oesophagus Cancer Deaths in the country are recorded at 3,589 or 1.27 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 18.94 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at position 3 in the world.

1. Maternal Conditions

Maternal health is not a new topic in the country and the fear of losing one’s life while in the process of bringing one forth is silently harbored by any expectant mother, this can be eased by attending all the prenatal clinics and dutifully taking the prescribed supplements.

Sadly, Maternal Conditions Deaths in the country reached 7,849 or 2.79 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 18.63 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at position 21 in the world.

• Alzheimer’s/Dementia

Alzheimer’s is a disease which sees the brain cell connections and the cells themselves degenerate and die, which eventually destroys the memory and other key mental functions.

There is bare awareness of this disease in the country while it has recorded 2,526 deaths or 0.90 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 17.48 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 93 in the world.

• Malnutrition

Malnutrition, which can largely be attributed to lack of awareness on the correct nutrition, illiteracy, and poverty, records 5,362 deaths or 1.90 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 16.37 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 20 in the world.

• Meningitis

There are immunizations available against Meningitis which most Kenyans have not had yet because they are expensive.

Meningitis, in Kenya, claimed 5,847 lives or 2.08 percent of total deaths with a death rate of 14.26 per 100,000 of population ranking Kenya at number 35 in the world.