Increasing Life Expectancy in Kenya

by Baraka Yusuf

An average of twenty years’ gap exists between the state with the highest life expectancy, that is, Monaco and Kenya. The two states average 89 years and 67 years respectively. However, assessing similar statistics, Spain is tipped to surpass Monaco by 2030, becoming world's leading state in life expectancy. After evaluating these figures, it is clear that there are different factors between these states that accord them their respective life expectancies (Infoplease, 2019). These statistics invoke the question; how can Kenya increase her life expectancy? After assessment of factors from the leading states, it was evident that Kenya should consider revising institutional policies, improving service delivery, reducing environmental pollution activities, among other factors to increase her life expectancy. 

First, institutional policies play a role in determining the life expectancy of a state. Different states have different institutional policies;there is a clear cut between policies in the first world and the third world which contributes to massive differences in life expectancies. According to Parks et al. (2017) policies in third world have consequently accorded these weak states institutions. For instance, the institutions in Kenya are subjected to personal and political influence, which gives these institutions fragile characteristics. Therefore, institutions such as health facilities are always affected by political changes, which is detrimental to service delivery to individuals. For example, after the change in Nairobi (Kenyan capital) gubernatorial seat, Pumwani hospital was married with multiple cases that were politically instigated. The politics led to two significant impacts in the hospital; first, it inspired several deaths of children and mothers in labor; secondly, it led to the change of hospital management. According to Rostov, institutions undergo organic development; therefore, political influence in these institutions affect their development.

According to Parks et al. (2017), the question of weak institutions can be addressed through the help of foreign actors. The authors assert that institutions in third world states are formed as “one stops” rather than instruments of delivering the intended function. For example, they posit that anti-corruption institutions are created with no intention of recovering stolen public funds (Park et al., 2017), and health institutions are formed with no purpose of providing quality health instead for status quo. To remedy this, the authors call for intervention from foreign actors. They argue that foreign actors can deliver different social services based on the mother state standards rather than the host state. This will increase the quality of service provided which will contribute to increase in life expectancy.

Also, comparing the pollution rate between Kenya and other states with high life expectancies indicate that the former is marred with high rates of pollution. For example,countries with high life expectancies mainly rely on clean energy sources, in Iceland for instance, coined global leader in renewable energy (Logadóttir, 2015), the country relies mostly on geothermal energy and other renewable energy sources. Emission through motor vehicles is reduced through the use of electric cars and other clean energy sources. The use of clean energy reduces energy-related infections, which lead to premature deaths. According to World Health Organization (2014), 7 million premature deaths are reported annually which are linked to pollution. In contrast to the developed states, Kenya has poor policies related to curbing pollution. For instance, the country still imports used vehicles from developed countries that emit gases that contribute to pollution. 

Lastly, life expectancy in Kenya can be increased by improving service delivery to her citizens. Comparing the service delivery between states with high life expectancies and Kenya, it is clear that the service in Kenya contributes to low life expectancy in the country. Therefore, ipso facto the service provided by the government and the state low, life-nourishing factors such as quality food, quality health service, among others will still be delivered poorly in poor quality, which is unable to increase life expectancy in Kenya. In conclusion, there is a need to develop suitable policies, independent institutions, and appreciation of foreign actors, which will together contribute to increasing Kenya’s life expectancy.