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, according to the 2024 Kenya Vital Statistics Report published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

While pneumonia remains the top cause of death in health facilities, cancer now accounts for 8,954 deaths—7.9 percent of total facility deaths—marking a significant shift in the country’s disease burden.

Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 7,478 deaths (6.6 percent), down from second place in previous years.

The report highlights that cancer is now the leading cause of death among females and among adults aged 30–49 and 50–59. Among men, it ranks second after pneumonia. For Kenyans aged 60 and above, cancer remains a major health threat.

The upward trend in cancer-related deaths has been consistent. In 2021, cancer ranked fifth; by 2022, it moved to fourth, and in 2023 and 2024, it secured the second position.

This transformation is attributed to changing lifestyles, increased urbanisation, ageing populations, and improvements in detection and reporting.

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

In a broader context, the report reveals that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for 61.7 percent of all registered deaths—up from 52.4 percent in 2023.

The statistics signal a health system under pressure. Thousands of families are bearing the emotional and financial burden of NCDs, especially cancer.

The report calls for immediate investment in cancer prevention, early detection, public awareness, and treatment infrastructure.

Key recommendations include:

• Increased funding for cancer control and treatment
• Strengthening healthcare systems and infrastructure
• Digitisation of health records and reporting processes
• Addressing regional health disparities and staffing gaps

Policy challenges such as underfunding, outdated manual systems, and uneven access to services continue to hinder the fight against NCDs.

“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.

Kenya’s health authorities are now at a critical crossroads. The rising tide of cancer demands bold, coordinated, and immediate action at all levels of government and society.

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Cancer Overtakes Cardiovascular Diseases as Second Leading Cause of Death in Kenya