County Installs New Equipment in Health Facilities

A recent health-sector review has raised serious alarm over a growing kidney disease crisis in Kenya, with new data suggesting that cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are increasing sharply. According to the Kenya Health Facility Census, only 2% of hospitals in the country provide renal (kidney) services — even though demand for such services is surging.
The same report estimates that around 4 million Kenyans are living with chronic kidney conditions, but only a small fraction of those who need life-saving dialysis are able to access it. According to the Kenya Renal Association and other sources, the number of people requiring kidney replacement therapy (dialysis or transplant) is rising, but capacity for care remains extremely limited.
In Wajir County, a local study found that nearly 45.4% of hypertensive patients also have signs of CKD — a strikingly high prevalence that underscores how kidney disease is rapidly growing in even remote and underserved regions. Health officials in the area are calling for urgent screening and preventive care to avoid further escalation.
Meanwhile, at AAR Hospital, data from January 2024 to January 2025 showed a 17.5% increase in demand for dialysis sessions, prompting the facility to expand its 24-hour dialysis service days. Experts say this trend reflects a broader national shift, where non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes — both key drivers of kidney disease — are fueling a steep rise in renal failure cases.
The Kenya Renal Association has called on the government to scale up equitable access to kidney care, improve early detection, and increase the number of nephrology specialists — particularlThis booming burden poses a significant challenge to the country’s healthcare system, especially under its Universal Health Coverage ambitions.