By William Muchiri
The Ministry of Health has issued a public advisory cautioning Kenyans undertaking extreme physical challenges to prioritise their health and safety, warning that such activities, while rewarding, carry serious medical and psychological risks if not properly managed.
In a statement released through the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki said extreme endurance activities such as mountaineering, ultra-marathons, long-distance cycling and running, military-style boot camps, desert and heat exposure challenges, and high-altitude trekking are increasingly popular but demand careful preparation.
“Extreme challenges can build resilience and achievement, but they carry real medical, musculoskeletal and psychological risks,” the advisory notes, urging participants to undertake proper medical screening, adequate training, safe hydration and nutrition, and to listen to warning signs from their bodies.
The ministry highlighted that Kenya’s diverse geography presents unique dangers.
High temperatures in arid and semi-arid regions such as the Rift Valley, northern Kenya and the Coast increase the risk of heat stress and heat stroke, while high-altitude areas like Mt Kenya, the Aberdares and Rift escarpments pose dangers of altitude sickness. Other risks include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, overuse injuries from rough terrain, rhabdomyolysis caused by extreme exertion, and exposure to insects, snakes and environmental hazards.
Individuals with undiagnosed conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and asthma were identified as being particularly vulnerable, alongside those with low fitness levels attempting extreme events, adolescents pressured into intense training, and people using unregulated supplements or stimulants.
The ministry strongly recommended pre-participation medical screening, including checks on blood pressure, blood sugar, haemoglobin and heart rhythm, as well as consultation for people with chronic illnesses. Gradual training, adequate rest, proper acclimatisation to heat and altitude, and avoidance of harmful initiation rituals were also emphasised.
Proper hydration and nutrition were flagged as critical, with participants advised to carry enough safe drinking water, replace salts during prolonged activity, avoid both overhydration and dehydration, and maintain sufficient caloric intake to prevent energy deficiency. The advisory warned against the use of unregulated supplements commonly sold in informal markets.
Kenyans were also urged to stop immediately and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, confusion, collapse, dark-coloured urine, severe muscle pain, or persistent vomiting.
The ministry further acknowledged the mental health pressures associated with extreme sports, including performance stress, burnout and disordered eating.
Practical safety measures such as informing others of travel routes, carrying identification and emergency contacts, using protective clothing, and knowing the nearest health facility were also recommended as essential steps to safeguard lives.