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The Kenyan government has sounded the alarm over malaria’s persistent threat, announcing the country recorded over 5 million cases in 2024, with hotspots concentrated in counties bordering Lake Victoria, Turkana, and Kwale.
Speaking at a health event in Kwale, Dr. Joseph Lenai, Director of Preventive and Promotive Healthcare, emphasized that over 70% of Kenya’s population remains at risk, calling the disease a “socio-economic anchor” that disrupts education, productivity, and household finances.
“Malaria continues to hinder our development—keeping children out of school, reducing productivity, and draining families’ resources,” said Dr. Lenai, who represented Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
National malaria prevalence has dropped from 8% to 6% over the past decade, attributed to scaled-up interventions. These include the distribution of 14.6 million insecticide-treated nets across 24 high-risk counties in 2023/2024 and the rollout of malaria vaccines targeting vulnerable children under five.
The Ministry of Health is also leveraging digital tools to train healthcare workers and deepening cross-border collaboration. Duale noted partnerships with Uganda under the Great Lakes Malaria Initiative (GLMI) to combat the disease in shared regions. However, challenges loom.
International and domestic funding gaps threaten to stall progress, with Gilbert Wangalwa, Deputy Country Director of Amref Health Africa, warning that Kenya’s heavy reliance on external support leaves elimination efforts “perilously vulnerable.”
Roneek Vora, Director of Sales at Revital EPZ Ltd and member of the End Malaria Council (EMC), stressed the need for a “whole-of-society approach” to meet Kenya’s 2030 elimination target.
“This fight is too big for government alone,” he said, pointing to private-sector innovations like Africa’s largest rapid diagnostic test (RDT) manufacturing plant in Kenya. The facility produces 20 million test kits monthly for malaria, HIV, and hepatitis, while creating 200 jobs—80% held by women, including individuals with disabilities.
Cases plummeted from a 2007 peak of 9.2 million to 5.6 million in 2023, while malaria’s share of outpatient visits dropped from 30% to 16%. Yet experts warn these achievements could unravel without sustained investment. Global malaria funding meets only 41% of needs, and Kenya’s 2024 caseload underscores the stakes.
East Africa remains a hotspot, with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda accounting for nearly 10% of global cases in 2022 (23.8 million cases, 53,000 deaths).
This year’s World Malaria Day theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” has reignited calls for innovation.
Dr. Lenai praised collaborative efforts but urged vigilance: “Malaria is a development issue. Our gains are fragile.” Duale echoed gratitude for partners like The Global Fund, WHO, and USAID, while advocates pressed for localized solutions and diversified funding.