NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is today joining the rest of the world in marking World Drowning Prevention Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about the devastating impact of drowning and promote lifesaving interventions.
Observed every year on July 25, the day is championed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners as a reminder that drowning is not only preventable—it’s a public health crisis that continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
According to the WHO, over three million people worldwide have died from drowning over the past decade, with more than 300,000 deaths recorded annually.
Kenya alone is estimated to lose at least 1,200 lives to drowning every year, making it one of the leading causes of accidental death—particularly among children and young adults.
“The drowning death rate among males is at least twice as high as among females,” WHO notes. “Poverty, inequality, and proximity to open water significantly increase the risk.”
Children, Migrants and Low-Income Populations Most Vulnerable
Drowning affects people of all ages and backgrounds, but WHO warns that those living in low-income regions and marginalized communities face a risk 3.2 times higher than those in wealthier countries.
Other high-risk groups include migrants, adolescents, and people in communities near lakes, rivers, ponds, or coastal areas.
Risk factors also include extreme weather, illegal migration, fishing in unsafe waters, and unsupervised swimming, especially among children.
The Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation adds that drowning can happen quickly and silently.
A child typically struggles for just 20 seconds before going under, while an adult may last up to a minute.
Without immediate intervention, unconsciousness can occur within four to six minutes of submersion.
Solutions That Save Lives
While global drowning deaths have slightly declined since 2000, WHO says urgent action is still needed.
Proven interventions include:
- Weather alert services and early warning systems
- Community disaster resilience programs
- Search and rescue services
- Water safety education
- Daily preschool programs
- Physical barriers around high-risk water bodies
- National drowning prevention strategies
In Kenya, public health experts are urging for increased investment in such interventions, particularly in flood-prone and lake-region counties where the risk is highest.
“We must strengthen policy dialogue across sectors, improve data collection, and tailor interventions to protect vulnerable groups,” WHO urges.
A Call for Coordinated Action
WHO is calling on governments, communities, and individuals to come together and support policies, education, and infrastructure that will prevent drowning and save lives.
In a world grappling with multiple health crises, drowning remains a silent killer—but it is one that can be stopped.
