Kenya is facing a growing public health challenge as drug-resistant infections threaten the effectiveness of medicines used to treat common bacterial diseases. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve over time and become resistant to medicines that previously worked against them. As a result, infections can become harder and more expensive to treat, leading to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs and preventable deaths.
Research published in 2021 estimated that at least 6,670 deaths in Kenya were attributable to antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the significant human cost of infections that no longer respond effectively to commonly used medicines. Experts warn that AMR is an escalating global and public health crisis that could undermine progress towards Kenya's socio-economic development goals. While resistance occurs naturally, its spread has been accelerated by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medicines in human health, agriculture and animal production. Poor sanitation, inadequate infection prevention and control, weak surveillance systems, limited human and financial resources and gaps in regulatory frameworks are among the factors contributing to the problem. Climate change and pandemics can also create conditions that further increase the spread and impact of resistant infections.
Globally, the consequences could be severe. Projections indicate that antimicrobial resistance could contribute to up to 8.22 million deaths annually by 2050 if effective measures are not taken.
A One Health challenge.
Experts say AMR cannot be tackled by the health sector alone because resistant organisms move across people, animals and the environment. "Antimicrobial resistance cannot be addressed by one sector alone. We cannot say that if we address issues in human health, then we are good to go. We've got to think about what is happening in our crop production, in our animal production, what is happening in the environment sector, what is happening with our fisheries and aquaculture, and even wildlife. We've got to think more broadly across the ecosystems to be able to address AMR well," said Dr Edna Mutua, a researcher at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Her comments reflect the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health in addressing antimicrobial resistance.
Rising resistance to commonly used antibiotics.
Speaking at a National Summit on Sustainable Governance and Financing for Antimicrobial Resistance Containment, Kenya's national public health AMR focal point, Dr Emmanuel Tanui, called for greater investment by both national and county governments to combat the growing threat. "We are already seeing as high resistance as 60% towards cephalosporins, for example, ceftriaxone, which is the most commonly used antibiotic for treatment of E. coli infections. So, yes, there are infections that are more difficult to treat," Tanui said. Rising resistance to commonly used antibiotics could leave healthcare workers with fewer effective treatment options, particularly when patients require urgent care.
Funding remains a major challenge.
Kenya has established a five-year National Action Plan on Preventing and Containing Antimicrobial Resistance, with an estimated cost of Sh2 billion. However, implementation continues to face a major obstacle: inadequate funding.