Most females died of cancer in 2024 as males succumbed to pneumonia – KNBS

The Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2024 shows that 4,498 out of 50,926 females died of cancer in 2024 as pneumonia made 5,244 out of 62,451 registered deaths. 

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) notes a sharp rise in cancer deaths as the disease “rose from the fifth leading cause of registered deaths in health facilities in 2021, to fourth in 2022 and second in the years 2023 and 2024.” 

While pneumonia has been a leading cause of death for males since 2021, majority of women died of pneumonia in 2023, 2021 and cardiovascular diseases in 2020 and 2022. 

In health facilities, pneumonia, cancer and cardiovascular diseases were leading causes of deaths while sudden death, pneumonia and cancer led to most deaths outside health facilities. 

Notably, HIV/Aids featured among top 10 causes of death in females, but not in males. 

The KNBS survey also shows that 152,398 death certificates were issued in 2024, a decline from 225,468 in 2023. Here, Nairobi County issued the most death certificates (16,306), followed by Kiambu (8,171), the National Registry (7,222), Kisumu (6,535), and Uasin Gishu (6,215).

On the other hand, Samburu, Turkana, Lamu, Bomet and West Pokot counties issued the least death certificates; 423, 520, 544, 613, and 613 respectively. 

Further, the Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2024 shows that 28,762 deaths were registered in children under five years. This comprised of 14,873 males and 13,887 females. 

“Turkana (33.5%), West Pokot (29.4%), and Mombasa (24.6%) recorded the highest proportions of registered underfive deaths relative to the total registered deaths in the county. In contrast, Wajir (1.3%), Mandera (1.7%), and Marsabit (1.9%) counties registered the lowest proportions of under-five deaths,” KNBS states. 

In addition, the highest number of infant deaths were registered in Nairobi City County (3,281). Nakuru County followed with 1,508 infant deaths, Kiambu (1,267), and Mombasa (1,092). Mandera (4), Wajir (13), and Marsabit (15) counties registered the lowest number of infant deaths. This while neonatal deaths reduced from 12,175 in 2023 to 10,930 in 2024. 

Noticeably, males accounted for the majority of registered deaths for single persons (62.5 %), married persons (63.3 %) and divorced persons (63.5 %), while females constituted the majority of the registered deaths for widowed persons (76.8%).

Here, Kiambu county had the highest percentage of registered deaths for single persons (25.6%) followed by Kajiado at 24%.