Approximately 3.1 million Kenyans are living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a growing public health concern largely driven by the rising prevalence of Hypertension and Diabetes, the Ministry of Health has said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said non-communicable diseases currently account for about 43 per cent of all deaths in Kenya.
Speaking during the national World Kidney Day commemoration at Kenyatta National Hospital, Duale said there is a need to strengthen prevention, early diagnosis and management of kidney disease.
Duale said the government is prioritising preventive and promotive health services, with greater emphasis on routine screening for blood pressure and blood glucose at community and primary healthcare levels to enable early detection and reduce complications associated with kidney disease.
He noted that access to specialised kidney care is expanding under the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has processed over Sh104 billion in healthcare claims, supporting essential services including dialysis, nephrectomy and kidney transplantation.
The ministry is also strengthening partnerships with accredited healthcare providers to widen access to transplant services.
Patients can now receive kidney transplantation at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, under SHA-approved benefit packages.
To strengthen governance and ethical oversight in organ donation and transplantation, Duale said the ministry established an independent review committee following concerns raised last year and has initiated the development of a National Transplant Registry to enhance transparency and accountability within the transplant programme.
Further investments are also being made in specialised training and infrastructure through initiatives such as the East Africa Centre of Excellence in Urology and Nephrology, while additional renal units are being rolled out across counties to improve access to kidney care services.
The forthcoming Kenya National Guidelines for Kidney Diseases 2026 will help standardise quality care across the country, supported by integrated health data systems under the government’s Digital Superhighway initiative.
The ministry also encouraged Kenyans to adopt healthy lifestyles, including regular medical check-ups, physical activity, adequate hydration and reduced salt consumption to help prevent kidney disease and other non-communicable illnesses.
The event was attended by Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth, Kenyatta National Hospital Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe, Kenya Renal Association chairperson Jonathan Wala, and Director of the Kenya National Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services Martin Sirengo, alongside other health sector leaders and stakeholders.
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