Burns Society of Kenya — Advocacy Resource

Burns are among the leading causes of injury-related morbidity and mortality in Kenya
Children under five are disproportionately affected, accounting for the majority of paediatric burn admissions at national referral hospitals including Kenyatta National Hospital
Women are at elevated risk due to their primary role in cooking and household fire management
The majority of burns in Kenya occur in the home and are caused by open flames, hot liquids, and kerosene
Burns from kerosene — used for lighting and cooking in homes without reliable electricity — represent a significant and preventable burden
Prehospital harmful practices, including application of toothpaste, butter, and traditional herbal remedies, remain widespread and worsen outcomes
Access to specialised burn care is limited outside of Nairobi and a small number of county referral hospitals
Many patients present late to hospital due to distance, cost, and initial use of home remedies
The true incidence of burns in Kenya is underreported — community-level burns managed at home or at primary care facilities are rarely captured in national data

A burn that receives correct first aid within the first 20 minutes heals faster, with less scarring, and with significantly lower risk of infection
Most burn deaths in Kenya are preventable with timely first aid, appropriate referral, and access to burns-capable care
The economic cost of burns — lost income, prolonged hospitalisation, repeated surgery, rehabilitation, and scarring — falls disproportionately on low-income households

Developing and disseminating evidence-based clinical guidelines for Kenyan healthcare settings
Training healthcare workers at county and national level in burns first aid and management
Producing public education materials for communities, schools, and health facilities
Advocating for burns prevention to be integrated into national public health programmes
Supporting the development of a national burns registry to improve data and planning

Burns Society of Kenya | burnsociety.or.ke For partnerships, training, or to request printed materials, contact us through our website.