The government plans to distribute at least 15.3 million long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) to 22 malaria-prone areas.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni told newsrooms on Tuesday that the ministry will digitize the process to improve efficiency and accountability.
The following counties will benefit from the initiative: Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Lamu, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Homa Bay, West Pokot, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Narok, Baringo, and Kirinyaga.
PS Muthoni stated that the activity has already begun in Homa Bay County, where 830,862 nets have been distributed, and will continue on Wednesday to Kisii, where 941,368 nets will be released, followed by Nyamira on January 31, 2024, for the delivery of 449,974 nets.
She stated that LLINs have proven to be a highly effective component in malaria prevention and control and that Kenya has implemented the World Health Organization's (WHO) advice to undertake mass distributions every three years.
“The distribution of LLINs to community members has shown tremendous progress in the fight against malaria, with a significant drop in Malaria prevalence from 8% to 6% nationally as per the Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey 2015 and 2020, respectively,” the PS stated.
“In Kenya, Malaria has imposed a heavy burden on the people, with about 6.7 million clinical cases and 4,000 deaths reported in 2022. Children under five and pregnant mothers continue to bear the brunt of this preventable disease.”
