By Betty Luke
You are more likely to live longer in Isiolo and die early in Western Kenya counties, a life expectancy report by Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (Kippra) shows.
The report that sourced data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2014 indicates that residents in Eastern region live for averagely 24 years longer than those from the lake region.
Isiolo was ranked the best with a score of 0.73 meaning the county residents on average live for 67 years.
Kitui and Makueni counties came second both scoring 0.72 revealing that residents in the two counties live for 66 years on average.
Machakos came fourth with 0.7 which translates to 65 years.
Wajir and Siaya had the least score of 0.35 meaning residents in the two counties have an average life span of 42 years.
Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Migori and Homabay had 0.58, 0.52, 0.5, 0.49 and 0.48 respectively while Kisumu and Vihiga tied at 0.45.
Seven poorest counties scored below 0.5, 22 got 0.6 and above presenting a higher life expectancy while 18 scored between 0.5 and 0.58.
Those with 0.6 and above were Samburu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Nyandarua, Kajiado, West Pokot, Nyamira, Murang’a, Nairobi, Kirinyaga, Narok, Garissa, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nyeri and Embu.
Only extreme poverty was cited as the cause for the short life span in Western while explanations were not offered for longer life in Eastern which also faces poverty.
