Kenya’s C-section rates rise steadily, sparking healthcare concerns

Caesarean section (C-section) delivery rates have steadily and significantly increased in Kenya over the last five years, reflecting changing dynamics in maternal healthcare choices and accessibility.

The nation’s C-section rate rose gradually year on year, from 16.08 per cent in 2020 to 16.21 per cent in 2021, 16.91 per cent in 2022, and 17.55 per cent in 2023. Most recently, the rate increased to 18.25 per cent in 2024.

This upward trend in surgical deliveries results from both improved access to healthcare and widening socioeconomic disparities.

While C-sections are necessary and often life-saving when complications arise during childbirth, the rising rate is cause for concern, particularly given the World Health Organization’s recommended upper limit of 15 per cent.

There are significant financial implications. The cost of a C-section at prestigious private hospitals in 2023 ranged from Sh220,900 to over Sh360,000—considerably higher than the Sh80,000 to Sh100,000 typically charged for natural deliveries. This cost disparity highlights the increasing burden on families and the healthcare system.

– By Edwin Edgar Mutugi