On 14 June 2021, Kaunda was admitted to Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka to treat an undisclosed medical condition as the government said the medics were doing everything they could to make him recover, though it was not clear what his current health condition was.[48][49] On 15 June 2021, it was revealed that he was being treated for pneumonia, which according to his doctor, had been a recurring problem in his health.[50] On 17 June 2021 it was confirmed that he died at the age of 97 after a short illness at Maina Soko Military Hospital.