Traditional Medicine Still Trusted by Caregivers in Western Kenya, Study Reveals

A significant number of caregivers in western Kenya continue to rely on traditional medicine (TM) for treating childhood illnesses, especially when faced with culturally rooted beliefs about disease, according to a new study under the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) programme.

The qualitative study, conducted by the Socio-Behavioural Sciences (SBS) team of CHAMPS led by Ms. Sarah Hawi Ngere, explored the motivations behind the use of TM among caregivers of children under five years in Kisumu’s Manyatta informal settlement and the rural area of Karemo in Siaya County. With about 80 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s population depending on traditional healing practices, researchers sought to better understand how these practices influence child health care in the region.

Through 29 in-depth interviews, five focus group discussions, and 11 semi-structured interviews involving 88 participants—including community representatives, health workers, and local leaders—the study uncovered that many caregivers still turn to TM to treat illnesses they believe stem from supernatural causes, such as witchcraft, evil spirits, or the breaking of cultural taboos.

While malaria was widely acknowledged as effectively treatable through Conventional Medicine (CM), diseases like measles and unexplained ailments were more likely to prompt a shift toward traditional remedies. In cases where modern medicine failed to provide a diagnosis or appeared ineffective, TM was often used as a last resort.

“Traditional medicine offers a culturally familiar alternative for caregivers when modern treatments fall short or when diseases are perceived to have mystical causes,” notes the study formerly presented at the just concluded 2025 CHAMPS Network Meeting in Nairobi.

The meeting that brought together over 160 delegates from CHAMPS study sites, key partners and stakeholders also celebrated 10 years since the establishment of the network.

The researchers emphasize the importance of integrating local beliefs and cultural understandings into public health strategies, particularly those targeting childhood illnesses. They argue that acknowledging and respecting these beliefs can enhance the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing child mortality.

As Kenya continues to develop its health systems, this study provides valuable insight into the role traditional beliefs still play in medical decision-making—and the need to bridge the gap between traditional and modern health care practices