World TB Day 2026: Kenya reports biggest drop in TB-related deaths

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NAIROBI, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called on Kenyans to support the government's commitment to end tuberculosis (TB).

Mr Duale said on Tuesday that the fight against the disease must be government‑led but community‑driven.

Speaking at the 2026 World TB Day national celebrations in Nairobi, Mr Duale stressed that TB remains a major health challenge but that collective action can turn the tide.

“Ending TB remains both a health priority and a national development imperative,” he said, calling for coordinated efforts across all sectors and communities.

The event was held under the theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by Government, Driven by Communities.”

What the TB situation looks like

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that spreads when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes. It remains one of the leading infectious killers in Kenya, especially where poverty, crowded living conditions and other health issues intersect.

In 2025:

• 90,900 people were diagnosed with TB and started on treatment--about 81 percent of the estimated national burden.
• Kenya has achieved a 45 percent reduction in TB incidence since 2015
• TB‑related deaths have fallen by 58 percent over the same period.

Despite progress, TB continues to pose severe challenges in Kenya.

Who is most at risk

Experts say certain groups are especially vulnerable: 

• People living with HIV, whose immune systems are weakened and more likely to develop active TB
• Undernourished individuals, whose bodies lack the resources to fight infection
• Adults in their prime working years, particularly men, who account for the majority of TB cases
• People living in poverty and crowded conditions, where transmission spreads more easily
• Cases of drug‑resistant TB, though less common, complicate treatment and require longer, more complex therapy
• Delays in seeking care and stigma around TB also contribute to ongoing transmission within communities.

What Kenya is doing differently

The government’s efforts are expanding beyond clinics into communities and technology: 

• Molecular testing and AI‑enabled portable X‑rays enhance early detection, especially in rural and underserved areas
• The Taifa Care Model aims to close gaps in diagnosis and treatment support across counties
• Social drivers of TB--such as nutrition, housing and access to care--are being tackled under a whole‑of‑government approach
• Targeted, gender‑responsive interventions are reaching high‑risk groups.

Mr Duale also commended Community Health Promoters, civil society organisations, faith leaders and TB survivors for their role in improving awareness, reducing stigma and helping patients complete treatment.

Why ordinary Kenyans should care

Tuberculosis is preventable and curable, but only if detected early and treated properly. Your community matters in: 

• Knowing the symptoms (persistent cough, weight loss, night sweats)
• Supporting people to seek early testing and care
• Combating stigma that delays treatment

Kenya’s gains show what is possible, but reaching full coverage and zero deaths will require everyone--government, health workers and local communities--to stay engaged.