More than 60% of patients currently admitted to Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi are diabetic, a trend that health officials in Taita Taveta County say reflects a rapidly worsening public health crisis.
Even more alarming, experts estimate that over 80% of diabetic individuals in Kenya remain undiagnosed, placing millions at risk of severe complications.
According to doctors at the facility, the rise in cases is affecting both adults and children, undermining the overall well-being of communities across the county.
“According to a survey done in 2022, above 80% of Kenyans are undiagnosed, and of that 80%, 60% of diagnosed diabetes patients don’t seek medical services. Here in Moi Hospital, almost 60% of the patients are dealing with complications of diabetes,” said Dr. Christine Mutiso.
Officials partly attribute the escalating situation to stigma surrounding diabetes, which continues to discourage many residents from seeking proper medical care.
Health workers say some patients abandon clinic appointments and regular check-ups, choosing instead traditional remedies that often worsen their condition.
“There is stigma, and many of the patients diagnosed tend to stop attending clinics and turn to herbal remedies, leading to more severe complications,” Dr. Christine added.
Medical experts warn that diabetes weakens the body’s immunity, making patients vulnerable to various secondary health problems. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to nerve damage, loss of eyesight, memory complications, and even stroke.
Nutritionists at the hospital have also highlighted major knowledge gaps among patients regarding proper diet. Many diabetic individuals do not know the types or quantities of food they should consume to manage their condition.
“Nutrition is important. The biggest challenge we have with these diabetic patients is lack of information and knowledge. They need to know what amounts to eat, what type of food, when to eat, and how to cook that food to manage the sugar levels in their bodies. They need to visit a nutritionist’s office often,” said Dr. Joel Mwakisha, a nutritionist at Moi Hospital.
Experts warn that the situation is worsened by a shortage of nutritionists in the county, especially in remote areas such as Kajire, Kishushe, Bungule, and Jipe, leaving thousands without essential dietary guidance.
To reduce the rising cases, health officials are urging communities to adopt healthier diets, increase vegetable intake, reduce starch-heavy foods, and commit to regular medical check-ups.
“Diabetes requires a large vegetable intake and smaller portions of proteins and carbohydrates, hence the need to visit a nutritionist and get proper knowledge. We need to partner with the community to help reduce diabetes in our county,” said Dr. Joel.
Health officials have also expressed concern over the lack of proper record-keeping for non-communicable diseases, which makes it difficult to track diabetic patients and monitor their progress.
“We have a challenge in tracking our patients due to a lack of proper record-keeping equipment. You may find one patient registered as new in several hospitals, making follow-up difficult,” said Mr. Albunus Kioko, the county’s Epidemiologist.
The county continues to struggle with insufficient funding to scale up diabetes response efforts, despite allocating a significant portion of its health budget to procuring essential drugs.
During the 2025 World Diabetes Day event held at Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi, the focus was placed on healthcare workers under the theme “Support Diabetes Well-being at the Workplace.” Several health workers and members of the public were screened as part of efforts to raise awareness and encourage early detection.
Officials are now urging residents to take diabetes seriously, embrace healthier lifestyles, and reject stigma in order to curb the rising cases across the county.
