Nairobi:Nearly 440,000 adults in Kenya are living with undiagnosed diabetes, raising concerns over barriers to early detection. This issue persists despite new research indicating that the cost of testing prevents many from seeking medical checks.
According to Kenya News Agency, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that 440,000 of the 810,000 adults living with diabetes in Kenya, or 54 percent, are unaware of their condition. The findings, released ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14, highlight a significant gap between awareness of diabetes and personal understanding of the risk of developing the disease.
A survey of 355 adults in Kenya found that although 97 percent considered diabetes screening worthwhile, only seven percent believed they were likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Notably, every respondent reported having at least two known risk factors for the disease. The study, part of a six-country survey involving 2,411 adults, identified the cost of screening as the leading barrier, cited by 47 percent of respondents.
Fear of receiving a positive diagnosis was another major concern, with 41 percent worried about the potential results, while 30 percent did not consider themselves at risk. The study also revealed that 82 percent of respondents incorrectly believed that people with prediabetes usually experience noticeable symptoms, potentially delaying screening and diagnosis.
Diabetes Kenya National Secretary Grace Atieno Jalang’o emphasized the need to make screening more accessible and affordable, particularly at the community level. Jalang’o called for expanded community outreach and screening services through local pharmacies, supported by clear information in English and Kiswahili to help people understand the importance of early diagnosis.
The IDF diagnosis scorecard shows that only 46 percent of adults living with diabetes in Kenya have been diagnosed, compared with the World Health Organization’s global target of 80 percent by 2030. The country would need approximately 270,000 additional diagnoses to reach this benchmark, translating to about 180 additional diagnoses daily until the end of 2030.
The IDF estimates that diabetes-related healthcare expenditure in Kenya reached US$333 million in 2024, with a significant portion going towards managing complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and lower-limb amputations. International Diabetes Federation President Prof Peter Schwarz warned that awareness of diabetes does not necessarily translate into an understanding of personal risk, which could undermine efforts to improve early diagnosis.
The survey was conducted between late June and late July 2026 among adults aged 25 to 54 with known risk factors for type 2 diabetes but no previous diagnosis. The Kenyan sample comprised 355 respondents.
