Kenya’s life expectancy rises but faces new health challenges – doctors

KAP Nairobi branch chair Rosslyn Ngugi in Nairobi / BRIAN OTIENO

Kenya’s improving life expectancy is a positive milestone, but comes with new health challenges, the Kenya Association of Physicians has cautioned.

KAP Nairobi branch chairperson Dr Rosslyn Ngugi said the ageing population is driving a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and chronic respiratory conditions.

She noted that urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, alcohol and tobacco use are fuelling the trend.

Kenya’s life expectancy in 2025 is projected at 67.93 years, up from 63.4 in 2024 and 63.65 in 2023.

While progress is linked to better healthcare, nutrition, sanitation and socioeconomic conditions, Ngugi said the health system now faces a “triple burden of disease”. This includes persistent communicable illnesses like HIV-Aids, TB, malaria and neglected tropical diseases; rising NCDs; and emerging health threats such as Mpox, Ebola, cholera, antimicrobial resistance and pandemics.

She warned that climate change is reshaping disease patterns, pushing malaria and dengue fever into new highland areas, while globalisation raises the risk of local outbreaks spreading internationally.

The observations come ahead of the joint 28th KAP and 10th East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP) scientific conferences, set for August 27–30 in Mombasa.

The forum will bring together physicians, researchers and policymakers to share innovations in healthcare delivery under the theme: “Fostering regional partnerships for health innovation and research in Africa".

KAP president Dr Erick Njenga emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration, saying physicians must embrace innovation and evidence-based practice to navigate increasingly complex health challenges.

The conference will also witness the graduation of 15 ECSACOP specialist physicians, a milestone in strengthening internal medicine expertise across the region.

Instant Analysis

Kenya’s steady rise in life expectancy signals major progress but also reveals new strains on its health system. With NCDs on the rise, driven by lifestyle shifts, alongside stubborn communicable diseases and emerging threats like climate-linked outbreaks, the country faces a “triple burden”. The Mombasa conference comes at a crucial time, offering a platform for African physicians to confront these overlapping challenges. Collaboration, innovation and stronger health systems will be vital in managing the demographic transition. Ultimately, sustainable solutions must blend medical advances with preventive strategies, workforce investment and equity in healthcare access.