Faith Masita
Respiratory diseases remained the leading cause of illness reported in Kenya’s health facilities in 2025 despite a notable decline in cases compared to the previous year, according to fresh data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The latest findings show the illnesses accounted for 15.4 million reported cases, maintaining their position as the country’s biggest health burden.
The 2026 Economic Survey indicates the share of respiratory illnesses dropped by 5.7 percentage points from 2024, signaling progress in disease control efforts even as the conditions continue to dominate outpatient visits across the country. Health experts attribute the persistent burden to seasonal infections, poor air quality, and delayed treatment-seeking behavior among patients.
Malaria emerged as the second most reported illness after recording a sharp increase to 14.3 million cases in 2025, a significant rise from 3.8 million cases reported the previous year. The surge reflects renewed concern over malaria control, particularly in endemic regions where transmission remains high.
Other commonly reported conditions included urinary tract infections, eye infections and hypertension, highlighting Kenya’s growing dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Health sector data also showed a decline in cases of skin diseases and diarrheal infections, suggesting improvements in sanitation and public health interventions in some areas.
The report further revealed gains in healthcare infrastructure, with operational health facilities increasing by 4.6 percent to 16,713 in 2025, while hospital bed capacity rose to 106,348. The number of registered nurses also increased, pointing to gradual expansion in service delivery capacity.
Public health specialists have urged Kenyans to seek early medical attention for persistent respiratory symptoms such as prolonged coughing, chest discomfort and shortness of breath, warning that delayed diagnosis continues to worsen outcomes for many patients.
