Strokes, once thought to be a disease of the elderly, are now affecting young Kenyans, some as young as 16. Many are waking up healthy and full of life, only to collapse unexpectedly and find themselves permanently paralysed or with severe limitations.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked (ischemic stroke) or when there’s sudden bleeding in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke). The former makes up the vast majority of cases, and when the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients for even a few minutes, cells begin to die. Strokes can lead to paralysis, vision or speech loss, and even death.
Young people in Kenya are increasingly vulnerable to strokes due to a mixture of lifestyle, environmental, and health factors. Unhealthy diets rich in salt, sugar, processed foods, and fats, coupled with physical inactivity, have led to rising cases of hypertension and obesity among youth. Smoking, alcohol use, and drug abuse, including cocaine and heroin, are also significant contributors.
Some strokes are linked to underlying conditions. Blood disorders like sickle cell disease, which affects oxygen flow in the blood, are a common cause among younger patients. Other health issues include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, congenital heart disease, and autoimmune conditions. Infectious diseases like HIV and syphilis can also raise stroke risk by increasing inflammation or causing clotting issues. Mental health struggles and chronic stress indirectly contribute by promoting high blood pressure and unhealthy coping behaviours.
Two young stroke survivors offer insight into this crisis. One was diagnosed with sickle cell and suffered an ischemic stroke in high school, losing function in her right arm and leg. She now relies on others for daily tasks and has struggled to access ongoing care due to high medical costs. Another, who had a hemiplegic stroke at 16, experienced sudden paralysis without warning. Doctors later found the cause to be blood clots linked to acute bronchitis. He now lives with permanent disability, writing with his left hand and depending on strangers for personal grooming tasks he once did independently.
Strokes in youth are also influenced by environmental factors like air and noise pollution, heatwaves, and extreme temperatures, which are increasingly common in urban Kenya. Sedentary lifestyles and long hours on screens further compound the risk, especially when paired with poor diets.
Recent data shows ischemic strokes account for over half of all stroke cases in Kenya, while hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body) makes up around 40 percent. Alarmingly, nearly one-fifth of patients die within ten days of suffering a stroke, highlighting the condition’s seriousness. Rehabilitation access remains limited, especially after hospital discharge, making full recovery a challenge.
Managing a stroke requires expensive imaging like MRI scans, medication to stabilise blood flow, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and long-term follow-up to prevent recurrence. Unfortunately, these services are concentrated in major hospitals, placing them out of reach for most patients due to cost and accessibility barriers.
Despite these challenges, awareness efforts are growing. Survivors are stepping forward to share their stories, support others, and break the stigma that strokes only affect older, wealthy, or overweight people. Events like charity walks aim to promote stroke awareness and prevention, especially among the youth. As cases rise, there is an urgent need to address root causes, expand access to care, and shift perceptions to protect future generations.
