Kenya caesarean section rate on the rise amid concerns, report says
Originally published by Kahawatungu — Read the original article →
Kenya has recorded a 20 per cent Caesarean section rate, raising concerns over the growing reliance on surgical deliveries and widening inequalities in access to maternal healthcare.
The 2025-26 Kenya Mini Demographic and Health Survey shows that Caesarean births have increased five-fold, from four per cent of all live births in 2003 to 17 per cent in 2022, before reaching 20 per cent in 2025-26.
The latest figure comes amid concerns raised by the World Health Organization (WHO) over unnecessary Caesarean deliveries, which can expose mothers and newborns to avoidable surgical risks when performed without medical justification.