Report Reveals High Burden of Liver Disease

Health experts are raising the alarm over a growing liver disease crisis in Kenya, largely driven by viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and metabolic liver conditions. A Lancet Commission report cited in recent coverage projects that liver cancer deaths in Kenya could double by 2050 if preventive interventions are not scaled up.
The Global Liver Institute’s review of liver health in Kenya reports that hepatitis B remains highly prevalent, with estimates between 5–8% in the general population. Chronic hepatitis infections are a major contributor to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Kenya, underpinning much of the rising liver disease burden.
National data also suggest that liver disease contributes significantly to the country’s non-communicable disease (NCD) burden. A Kenya NCDI Poverty Commission report indicates that cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases account for 3% of the total Disability‑Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost in Kenya.
Experts say the liver disease burden is preventable but requires urgent action: scaling up hepatitis B vaccination, expanding access to hepatitis C testing and treatment, and addressing lifestyle risk factors such as harmful alcohol use.