Duale raises alarm at UNGA: NCDs now cause 38% of deaths in Kenya
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, on Friday, September 26, 2025, raised an alarm during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York about the rising threat of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Kenya.
In his speech, Duale said that NCDs now account for 38 per cent of all deaths in the country and continue to strain the health system.
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Speaking on behalf of President William Ruto, the CS told world leaders that the burden of non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions had reached crisis levels both in Kenya and globally.
“Health is the foundation of dignity, development and shared prosperity, yet this foundation is under severe threat,” Duale wrote on X.
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Kenya’s growing NCD burden
According to the Cabinet Secretary, more than half of adult hospital admissions in Kenya are linked to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions.
He added that one in four Kenyans will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.
“The fight against NCDs and mental ill-health will be won at the primary health care level, with the voices of people with lived experience at the centre of policy-making and accountability,” Duale said.
He stressed that unless urgent action is taken, the burden of these illnesses will reverse the gains made in development and weaken Kenya’s ability to provide equitable healthcare.
Government Interventions
Duale outlined several measures already undertaken by the Kenyan government to counter the growing crisis.
He highlighted the deployment of 107,000 community health promoters equipped with diagnostic tools to support early detection and intervention.
He also noted that 26 million citizens have been enrolled in the Social Health Insurance programme anchored on three funds to guarantee access and financial protection.
“Cancer care has been decentralised through three regional oncology centres, alongside investments in specialist training, modern infrastructure and partnerships with the private sector,” he said.
While commending the World Health Organisation, United Nations agencies and civil society partners for their support, the Cabinet Secretary urged for stronger and sustainable financing as well as robust surveillance systems to track and respond to emerging health threats.
Duale was joined in New York by Dr Gladwel Gathecha, head of NCDs at the Ministry of Health, and Dr Bashir Isaak, head of Family Health, in what he described as a united front to address one of the country’s most pressing health challenges.
