Cancer Tops Death Causes Among Women in 2024 as Pneumonia Remains Leading Male Killer – KNBS
Mulembe Times
Published: July 11, 2025
Cancer overtook all other illnesses to become the leading cause of death among women in Kenya in 2024, while pneumonia remained the top killer among men, according to the newly released Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2024 by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The annual report paints a grim picture of the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country, particularly cancer, which has steadily climbed the ranks over recent years.
Cancer Emerges as Top Killer of Women
Out of 50,926 registered female deaths in 2024, 4,498 women died of cancer, making it the single most deadly disease for Kenyan women last year. This marks a dramatic shift in the mortality landscape and highlights the increasing burden of cancer on women, especially in reproductive and middle age.
In comparison, cancer accounted for 4,354 female deaths in 2023, indicating a significant year-on-year increase. KNBS data shows that women aged between 30 and 59 years were most affected, with breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers contributing heavily to the mortality figures.
💨 Pneumonia Continues to Claim Most Male Lives
Among men, pneumonia remained the leading cause of death, claiming 5,244 lives out of 62,451 registered male deaths in 2024. The disease has consistently ranked as the top killer among males since 2021, underscoring the persistent vulnerability of Kenyan men to respiratory infections.
Despite various public health interventions, pneumonia-related fatalities among men have remained stubbornly high. Medical experts attribute this to low health-seeking behavior among men, late diagnosis, and limited access to vaccines and early treatment in rural areas.
Top Causes of Death in Health Facilities (All Genders)
In terms of facility-based mortality across both genders, the KNBS data revealed the top three causes of death as:
- Pneumonia – 9,682 deaths
- Cancer – 8,954 deaths
- Cardiovascular diseases – 7,478 deaths
This marks the first time cancer has overtaken heart diseases as the second leading cause of death in hospitals, reflecting Kenya’s epidemiological transition from infectious diseases to chronic NCDs.
The Rise of Cancer in Kenya
Cancer has steadily risen in the national rankings of fatal illnesses:
- 5th in 2021
- 4th in 2022
- 2nd in 2023 and 2024
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) attributes this rise to:
- Sedentary lifestyles
- Poor dietary habits
- Increased exposure to carcinogens
- Inadequate cancer screening services at primary care level
“This data confirms what we’ve observed in clinics—more women presenting with late-stage cancers,” said Dr. Ruth Mburu, a Nairobi-based oncologist. “We need a national strategy to decentralize cancer screening and increase public awareness, particularly in rural countie
Non-Communicable Diseases Now Account for Most Deaths
The 2024 report also reveals a historic shift in the nature of mortality in Kenya:
Non-communicable diseases accounted for 61.7% of all registered deaths in 2024, up from 52.4% in 2023.
This surge confirms concerns that NCDs—once considered “diseases of the wealthy”—are now the dominant health threat for all income levels in Kenya.
“Kenya is undergoing a silent epidemic,” warned Public Health Specialist Dr. Charles Wekesa. “Cancer, heart disease, and diabetes are now killing more people than malaria, TB, or HIV. Yet our health infrastructure is still geared towards combating communicable diseases.”
📉 Male vs Female Mortality – A Gendered Divide
| Gender | Total Deaths (2024) | Top Cause | Deaths from Top Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 62,451 | Pneumonia | 5,244 |
| Female | 50,926 | Cancer | 4,498 |
This stark gender divide in cause-of-death highlights the need for gender-specific health interventions, especially in preventive care and early diagnosis.
The KNBS report is expected to spark renewed debate on Kenya’s preparedness to combat NCDs. Health advocacy groups have long warned that insufficient cancer screening equipment, a shortage of oncologists, and high treatment costs are hindering the fight against the disease.
Additionally, pneumonia—though preventable and treatable—is still killing thousands of men each year, exposing gaps in Kenya’s vaccination programs and public health education.The 2024 statistics provide a wake-up call: Kenya must now pivot from its traditional focus on infectious diseases and invest heavily in non-communicable disease prevention, screening, and treatment. With more than 60% of deaths now caused by NCDs, the health system must be restructured to reflect this new reality.
