Kenya has just 25 neurologists for a population of over 50 million people. That is one specialist for every two million Kenyans, and for people living with epilepsy, that number tells only part of the story. Most of those 25 specialists are based in Nairobi. For families in rural counties, accessing one means long travel, days away from work, and costs that most simply cannot afford. Many never try.
What happens without access
When specialist care is out of reach, people fill the gap however they can. Some turn to traditional healers. Some rely on guesswork, or on medication passed between neighbours. Some receive no treatment at all, and without consistent anti-seizure medication, seizures continue, injuries happen, and the condition worsens.
The shortage doesn't just affect treatment. It affects diagnosis. Many people living with epilepsy in Kenya have never received a formal diagnosis. Without one, they cannot access the right medication, cannot explain their condition to employers or schools, and remain vulnerable to the stigma that comes with being "the person who collapses."
Bringing care closer
This is why community-based care matters so much. Kiserem Foundation hosts medical camps and awareness clinics that bring basic screening, diagnosis support, and medication closer to the people who need it. We train local health workers and equip families with the knowledge to respond safely when a seizure occurs.
It is not a permanent fix for a systemic problem, but it changes lives in the meantime. Epilepsy is treatable. The barrier is not medical knowledge; it is access. Until that changes, community organisations, trained local medics, and informed families are the bridge. If you want to help us build that bridge, find out how to get involved.