Respiratory experts are raising concern over the growing burden of asthma in Kenya particularly among children in urban areas. The Kenya Asthma Management Guidelines estimates that 7.5% of Kenyans, approximately 4 million people, live with asthma with numbers steadily increasing especially in towns and cities due to factors such as air pollution, dust, and changing lifestyles.
According to data from the World Health Organisation, asthma claims about 2,300 lives in Kenya every year. Dr. Justus Simba, Consultant Paediatric Pulmonologist, noted that most of these deaths are linked to poor disease management, despite asthma being a largely controllable condition.
“Asthma can be controlled, and children with asthma can live full, active lives. But the first step is recognising it early. Parents should look out for signs such as frequent coughing, especially at night, wheezing, shortness of breath, or complaints of chest tightness. These symptoms often come and go and may be triggered by dust, cold air, or exercise. The challenge we face is poor control, delayed treatment, and gaps in awareness,” said Dr. Simba.
He went on to note that asthma prevalence is rising more sharply in urban settings where children are exposed to environmental triggers such as vehicle emissions, construction dust and allergens.
At the same time, encouraging trends are emerging with more parents seeking medical care earlier, driven by increased awareness through media and public health messaging.
Beyond the physical symptoms of cough, wheezing and difficulty in breathing, asthma is placing a significant emotional and social burden on families.
“Children with poorly controlled asthma often miss school while parents live with constant anxiety over sudden attacks. In some cases, stigma and misinformation lead families to hide the condition or discontinue treatment prematurely. These myths are dangerous because they prevent children from getting the treatment they need,” said Bliss Wario, Respiratory Nurse at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital.
Lynnet Mwikya, an asthma patient, noted the importance of awareness and public education in helping manage asthma, especially in children.
“When you have asthma and the people around you don’t understand it, you feel very alone in managing it. Getting the right information and the right medication changed my life. We need more people to know about this disease, not just for themselves, but so they can properly support the people living with it,” said Ms. Mwikya.
The experts at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital are calling for a multi-pronged approach to address the growing burden of asthma including improving access to essential medications such as inhalers, strengthening patient and caregiver education, and equipping healthcare workers with the resources and time needed to provide comprehensive care.
Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital’s Respiratory Centre of Excellence has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges by providing specialised and child-centred care for asthma and other respiratory conditions.
