Cancer overtakes cardiovascular diseases as second leading cause of death in Kenya

Cancer has overtaken cardiovascular diseases to become the second leading cause of death in Kenya, signalling a pressing need for policy and health system adaptation.

According to the newly released 2024 Kenya Vital Statistics Report published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, pneumonia remains the top cause of death in health facilities, but cancer has now claimed the second spot, pushing cardiovascular diseases into third place.

“Cancer rose significantly, becoming the second leading cause of death in health facilities and the top cause among females,” the report states, underscoring the magnitude of the change.

The development marks a watershed moment in Kenya's ongoing battle with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and signals emerging challenges for the country’s health system.

Cancer’s rise has been nothing short of dramatic.

In 2021, it was the fifth leading cause of death in health facilities.

By 2022, it had climbed to fourth, and in both 2023 and 2024, it secured the second position.

The data show that in 2024, cancer accounted for 8,954 deaths in health facilities, representing 7.9 per cent of total facility deaths.

This is compared to 9,682 deaths (8.5 per cent) attributed to pneumonia and 7,478 deaths (6.6 per cent) to cardiovascular diseases.

The trend is particularly pronounced among women.

“Cancer emerged as the top leading cause of registered deaths in health facilities among females in 2024, while for males, it ranked second after pneumonia,” the report notes.

The gender disparity is a critical detail, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in women’s health.

The report paints a broader picture of a nation grappling with a changing disease burden.

NCDs now account for 61.7 per cent of all registered deaths, up sharply from 52.4 per cent in 2023.

“The proportion of health facility registered deaths attributed to Non-Communicable Diseases increased from 52.4 per cent in 2023 to 61.7 per cent in 2024,” the report confirms.

This surge is largely attributed to the increase in cancer-related deaths.

Adults in the 30–49 and 50–59 age brackets are particularly affected, with cancer now the leading cause of death in these groups.

Among those aged 60 and above, cancer remains a significant threat, reflecting the impact of ageing and changing lifestyles.

Behind these statistics are thousands of families affected by loss and hardship.

The report’s findings suggest that Kenya’s health system must urgently adapt to this new reality.

“The growing burden of cancer and other NCDs calls for enhanced investment in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment infrastructure, and public health education,” the report recommends.

The shift is not just a matter of numbers. It reflects deeper changes in Kenyan society, including urbanisation, evolving diets, and longer life expectancies.

“The rise of cancer as a leading cause of death reflects shifting health challenges in Kenya, likely influenced by changes in lifestyle, ageing population, and improved detection and reporting,” the report observes.

Policy and systemic challenges

The Kenya Vital Statistics Report does not shy away from highlighting the challenges ahead.

It points to underfunding, manual registration processes, and regional disparities as ongoing obstacles.

The report calls for “strengthening health systems for NCD management, increasing funding, and improving data collection to better understand and address the cancer burden.”

Moreover, the report urges the acceleration of digitisation and data integration, enhanced staffing at county and sub-county levels, and targeted regional interventions to address disparities in health outcomes.

The road ahead

Kenya’s health authorities now face a pivotal moment.

The emergence of cancer as the second leading cause of death in health facilities is a clarion call for action.

“The urgent need for a national focus on cancer prevention and control cannot be overstated, alongside continued efforts to combat infectious diseases and other NCDs,” the report concludes.

The 2024 Kenya Vital Statistics Report provides a stark reminder: The fight against cancer is no longer a distant concern—it is now at the very heart of Kenya’s public health agenda.