From innovation to community action in the fight against TB. Here’s the journey so far, and the road ahead. Catch the conversation and follow the journey.
Kenya has made significant progress in its fight against tuberculosis (TB). Improved policies, stronger community-level interventions, and increased access to diagnostic tools have all contributed to a reduction in the number of tuberculosis cases nationally. Despite this progress, tuberculosis remains a serious public health concern, owing mostly to the fact that many persons with the disease are still not diagnosed early enough.
Early diagnosis is crucial for treating tuberculosis.
The number of tuberculosis cases in Kenya is steadily decreasing, which is a good indication. Nonetheless, the battle is far from over. Many people, especially men have poor health seeking behaviour, owing to, cultural beliefs and misconceptions about TB, social stigma and fear of discrimination, or financial constraints including transport costs or loss of income during treatment.
To tackle these obstacles, the Ministry of Health, the National TB Program, and implementing partners such as CHS, AMREF, CHAI, and others are intensifying coordinated efforts across the country. This includes strengthening community awareness through targeted health education campaigns, engaging local leaders, and using community health promoters to dispel myths and encourage early screening. Multi-sectoral collaboration is being enhanced by bringing together government departments, civil society, and private-sector actors to address the social and economic drivers of poor health-seeking behavior. At the same time, access to TB services is being expanded through decentralization of diagnosis and treatment, outreach clinics, mobile screening programs, and the introduction of more patient-friendly technologies and support tools. These combined strategies are designed to ensure equitable access to care, reduce stigma, and create an environment where every person, regardless of gender, location, or financial ability, can receive timely testing, treatment, and support. Ultimately, these collective efforts aim to make sure that no one is left behind in the fight against TB.
Vision for a TB-Free Kenya
Kenya has also embraced modern technologies in diagnosis, treatment, and patient monitoring, marking a major shift in how TB services are delivered. These innovations are improving efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes across the entire care pathway. Advanced screening tools such as portable digital X-rays with computer-aided detection (CAD) software and rapid molecular tests like GeneXpert and Truenat machines, allow health workers to identify TB quickly, even in hard-to-reach areas. Digital adherence technologies, including SMS reminders, and mobile applications, support patients throughout their treatment journey by helping them remember doses, stay connected with health providers, and report challenges early. The country has also strengthened laboratory sample referral systems through real-time digital tracking, improved transport networks, and automated result reporting, ensuring that samples move faster and results reach facilities without delay. Together, these technologies make the diagnostic process more reliable, reduce loss to follow-up, and ensure that patients stay on treatment until they are fully cured.
Kenya’s National Strategic Plan for TB, Leprosy, and Lung Health (2023/24–2027/28) outlines a bold and forward-looking vision aligned with the global WHO End TB targets. The plan places strong emphasis on policy reforms, adoption of modern technologies, community-centered service delivery, and strengthened health systems which are all aimed at accelerating Kenya’s progress toward ending TB by 2030. It also sets out several priority objectives including increasing treatment coverage, improving treatment success rates to ensure that TB services are efficient, responsive, and patient-centered. Together, these strategic directions reflect Kenya’s commitment to delivering comprehensive, equitable, and high-quality TB, leprosy, and lung health services for all.
