Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has raised concern over the growing threat of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Kenya, warning that they now account for 38% of all deaths in the country.
Speaking on behalf of President William Ruto during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Friday, September 26, 2025, Duale highlighted how NCDs and mental health conditions have reached crisis levels both locally and globally.
“Health is the foundation of dignity, development, and shared prosperity, yet this foundation is under severe threat,” Duale stated in a post on X.
Kenya’s Rising NCD Burden
According to the Health CS, more than half of adult hospital admissions in Kenya are linked to NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
He further revealed that one in four Kenyans will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, underscoring the urgent need for investment in preventive and primary healthcare.
Call for Action
Duale stressed that the fight against NCDs and mental ill-health will only be won through strengthening primary healthcare systems and involving the voices of patients in policy-making and accountability frameworks.
He warned that failure to act could reverse Kenya’s development gains and weaken the ability to deliver equitable healthcare to all citizens.
A Global Health Challenge
His remarks echo global concerns that NCDs—often driven by lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use—are becoming a leading cause of premature death worldwide.
By bringing Kenya’s situation to the global stage, Duale urged world leaders to prioritize health financing, community-led interventions, and policy alignment to address the growing crisis.
As Kenya continues its push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), tackling NCDs and mental health conditions remains a critical part of safeguarding the nation’s future.
