Kenya: The Intersection of Climate and Health

Climate change is a top health story · Reporters are linking floods to cholera and dengue outbreaks, droughts to malnutrition, and warming highlands to new malaria zones—reframing health stories as inherently environmental.
NCDs and reproductive health gain ground · Cancer, diabetes, hypertension and mental health—especially among youth—are receiving sustained attention, alongside growing coverage of reproductive and menstrual health.
Systemic failures stay front-page news · Doctor and nurse strikes, healthcare brain drain, stock-outs and health financing debates dominate national coverage.
A two-sided COVID-19 hangover · Reporters are now more proficient in data journalism and explaining scientific studies, but face “pandemic fatigue” and lingering mistrust of authorities and “big pharma” messaging.
Localise global health news · Journalists are calling for African data, media-trained African experts, Africa-focused fact sheets and logistical support for fieldwork—and to be treated as strategic partners rather than press-release recipients.

Kenya stands at the forefront of a critical global conversation: the undeniable link between climate change and public health. In the Kenyan media landscape, environmental issues are no longer siloed but are increasingly recognised as primary drivers of health crises, from infectious disease outbreaks to malnutrition. This interdisciplinary approach is reshaping health journalism in the country.

The following analysis synthesises the expert views of a health journalist at a national daily newspaper and the science and health editor at a media outlet on health and development.

Climate change as a top health story

Kenyan media analysis reveals a national health agenda defined by the convergence of environmental threats, chronic diseases, and systemic failures. Climate change and health is a top story—journalists are directly connecting extreme weather events to health outcomes. This includes covering the rise of cholera and dengue outbreaks following floods, increased malnutrition resulting from droughts that affect crops, and the alarming spread of malaria into new highland regions that were previously too cold for mosquitoes.

“The direct link between climate change and health is a top story. We’re covering increased cholera and dengue outbreaks resulting from floods, malnutrition from droughts affecting crops, and the spread of malaria to new highland areas previously unaffected. It’s no longer just an environmental story.”

— Science and health editor, media outlet on health and development

The “silent epidemic” of NCDs and system failures

NCDs—particularly cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and mental health issues—receive sustained media attention. The focus is on the rising burden these diseases place on families and the health system, as well as the profound lack of access to affordable diagnostics and treatment.

The state of the health system itself is constant front-page news. This includes extensive coverage of doctor and nurse strikes, the “brain drain” of health workers emigrating for better opportunities, frequent stock-outs of essential medicines, and ongoing national debates around health financing. Stories related to reproductive and menstrual health are gaining significant traction, fueled by advocacy and a growing openness on previously taboo subjects. Similarly, mental health, especially among youth, is becoming a more prominent topic of coverage.

The duality of the COVID-19 hangover

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting, two-sided impact on health and media in Kenya, creating both new skills and new challenges.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of new journalistic practices. Reporters are now much more proficient in data journalism, interpreting scientific studies, and explaining complex health metrics to the public. The crisis also created a heightened public appetite for science-based stories and gave a major boost to the coverage of telemedicine and self-care innovations.

A significant challenge is “pandemic fatigue.” Experts note that editors and the public are often resistant to stories about “the next big outbreak,” which can make it more challenging to secure coverage for new health threats. Furthermore, the pandemic left a lingering mistrust of authorities and “big pharma” messaging, which journalists must navigate carefully to maintain credibility.

Key trends and needs in health journalism

Health journalism in Kenya is evolving, with journalists adopting new approaches and clearly articulating what they need from health organisations to do their jobs effectively. Key journalistic trends include:

A significant shift toward solutions-focused reporting that moves beyond just covering problems to highlight what is working on the ground.
A strong emphasis on the localisation of global news, with a demand for African data and African experts to provide context for global health announcements.
An interdisciplinary approach that inherently connects health stories to climate change, economics, gender, and politics.
A recognition of the journalist’s role as a frontline worker in the crucial fight against misinformation.

“We are moving past just reporting on Western studies. The trend is toward localising global health news. How does a WHO announcement impact a patient in Kibera or a clinic in rural Uganda? We’re looking for African data and African experts to comment on global issues.”

— Science and health editor, media outlet on health and development

What journalists need from communicators includes:

Timely access to local, media-trained African experts who can provide crucial on-the-ground context.
Africa-focused data packets and fact sheets that help them quickly localise global reports without having to mine massive datasets.
Logistical support for fieldwork, which is essential for telling the most powerful health stories from communities and clinics.
To be treated as a resource and a strategic partner, not just a source for press releases, with full respect for their editorial independence.