In response to a widening funding gap of Ksh25 billion, the Kenyan government has rolled out a comprehensive strategy to combat malaria, with Busia County leading the charge through the launch of the third phase of the Larval Source Management (LSM) initiative.
The innovative project, funded by SC Johnson, targets mosquito larvae at their aquatic stages to curb malaria transmission.
Dr. Willis Akhwale, Special Advisor to the End Malaria Council, highlighted the initiative’s success, stating, “When we sprayed 17 hectares of breeding grounds in Busia, we achieved a 95% reduction in adult mosquitoes capable of spreading infection.”
The LSM approach uses biolarvicides—sprays that target the intestines of young mosquitoes, preventing them from maturing into disease-carrying adults, as explained by Arthur Odera, Busia County Deputy Governor and CECM for Health & Sanitation.
SC Johnson’s involvement extends beyond the LSM initiative. The company has funded the rehabilitation of a health center in Malaba, transforming it into a center of excellence for malaria prevention and control, particularly for border communities.
Earlier this year, SC Johnson also launched high-speed manufacturing lines at its Nairobi plant to produce SC Johnson Guardian™, a spatial repellent designed to reduce mosquito presence.
At full capacity, the plant is expected to produce up to 20 million units annually, distributed free of charge through public health channels.
Isaac Maluki, a Member of the End Malaria Council, emphasized the importance of local manufacturing in the fight against malaria, stating, “We are exploring ways to promote the local production of biolarvicides, mosquito nets, and other essential tools.”
Busia County, which has the highest malaria transmission rate in Kenya, has adopted advanced technologies such as drones to spray biolarvicides like Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus. These drones can carry 30 liters of larvicide and cover over 25 hectares per flight, ensuring even the most inaccessible breeding sites are treated. The biolarvicides are safe for humans and animals and are certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Kenya’s Ministry of Health.
Malaria remains a critical public health issue in Busia, with prevalence rates six times higher than the national average and three times higher than other lake-endemic counties. The disease accounts for 40% of outpatient visits and 2% of all deaths in the region. To address this, Busia has implemented a robust malaria control program, including Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), malaria vaccination, case management, and social behavior change initiatives.
Despite these efforts, Kenya faces significant funding challenges in its malaria fight. Chris Getonga, Chairman of the End Malaria Council, stressed the need for shared strategies, resource mobilization, and collaboration to achieve the Kenya Malaria Strategy’s goals.
SC Johnson has already committed over $10 million to advance spatial repellents, fund malaria prevention education, and build new health clinics in rural communities. The company’s long-term goal is to manufacture and process repellents locally, further supporting Kenya’s efforts to eliminate malaria.
