Malaria: A Persistent Killer in Kakamega County 

Malaria remains a significant health challenge in Kenya, with four out of ten people affected, according to the Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey 2020 (MIS36). Kakamega County is among the high-endemic areas, alongside Kilifi and Kisumu counties.

Addressing the press during a training session by the Zero Malaria Campaign Program, Dr. Faustina Sakari, the Kakamega County Malaria Control Coordinator, highlighted Matungu, Butere, and Mumias West as high-endemic areas. These sub-counties border other high-endemic regions, including Busia, Siaya, and Kisumu.

“We have high transmission sub-counties. These are Butere, Matungu, Mumias West, and Kwisero. They border high endemic counties like Busia, Siaya, and Kisumu, where we have high malaria transmission,” said Dr. Sakari.

Despite the high transmission rates, Dr. Sakari expressed hope for reducing malaria prevalence in Kakamega County through behavioral changes, such as using treated mosquito nets and draining stagnant water.

“In Kakamega County, the prevalence is at 15.2 percent. We have reduced malaria prevalence from 38.9 percent in 2010 to 15.2 percent currently. Though the transmission is not uniform throughout the county, we can achieve zero malaria prevalence if we adopt good behavioral practices, like sleeping under treated mosquito nets and eliminating stagnant water around our residences,” she added.

Dr. Sakari also urged caregivers and parents to seek early treatment for children showing symptoms of malaria. According to a county survey, only 60.5 percent of children received treatment within 24 hours of symptom onset, which is not an ideal trajectory.

“Only 60.5 percent of children accessed treatment within 24 hours of showing malaria symptoms, leading to 6.5 percent of malaria deaths in children. I urge all caregivers and parents to seek medical assistance early to avoid unnecessary deaths,” she emphasized.

Recently, Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa launched the "Imarisha Afya ya Mama na Mtoto Program," also known as Barasa Care. This initiative focuses on improving the wellbeing of pregnant women before and after delivery, ensuring financial support and encouraging antenatal care (ANC) for Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy (IPTP).

“Barasa Care Program supports pregnant women to seek ANC early, allowing them to access all services, including treated nets and IPTP drugs to prevent malaria,” Dr. Sakari explained.

The Zero Malaria Campaign Program aims to achieve zero malaria prevalence in Kenya by 2030 through collaborative efforts, using the slogan "Zero Malaria starts with me, the power of everyone.” 

The campaign focuses on dispelling myths about malaria, promoting awareness, prevention, and control, and ensuring county governments implement intervention measures like issuing treated nets and sensitizing communities.