Kenya is intensifying its efforts to combat malaria, a persistent health threat that is heavily influenced by the country’s climatic patterns. Recent data reveals that six counties Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, and Vihiga continue to bear the highest burden, with an alarming malaria incidence rate of 748 cases per 1,000 population. Malaria outbreaks frequently coincide with the long and short rainy seasons, and in 2023, Kenya recorded approximately 5.5 million malaria cases, translating to an incidence rate of 104 cases per 1,000 people.
The government has responded by ramping up malaria control interventions, which include the distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), improved malaria case management at the community level, and the introduction of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC). Among these, IRS is a central component of vector control. Supported by the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), IRS focuses on reducing mosquito populations in households, particularly in high-burden counties like Migori and Busia. From March to May 2024, IRS covered over 423,000 eligible structures in these counties, achieving more than 95% coverage, well above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended threshold of 85% effectiveness. This effort protected nearly two million people. In Busia County, IRS activities led to a 50% reduction in malaria incidence, from 746 cases per 1,000 people in 2023 to 358 cases per 1,000 in 2024.
Despite these successes, challenges persist. In 2025, Busia conducted IRS operations, achieving a coverage rate of 94.2%, although environmental conditions hindered efforts in some areas. Delays have also occurred in other regions due to funding and logistical challenges. For instance, insecticide stocks are available, but operations in Migori are delayed pending approval from USAID, with a funding gap of approximately Sh78 million needed to continue the spraying program.
The mass distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in 2023/24, supported by the Global Fund and USAID/PMI, aimed to distribute 18.6 million nets across 24 counties. However, due to resource constraints, only 15.3 million nets were procured, and 14.6 million were distributed, reaching over 28 million people and covering 4.5 million households. This coverage exceeded the WHO’s recommended threshold for effective malaria prevention.
In addition to physical interventions, Kenya has made significant strides in data-driven surveillance. The Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) has modernized entomological surveillance through the digitization of data collection processes using the DHIS2 platform. This system tracks mosquito species, monitors insecticide resistance, and provides real-time data on malaria transmission patterns, which enables more targeted and timely interventions. Initially piloted in Migori and Kirinyaga counties, this system has now expanded to 16 counties, offering valuable insights into mosquito breeding sites and the effectiveness of malaria control measures.
Furthermore, ongoing molecular analysis of mosquitoes at reference laboratories provides detailed insights into species profiles and infectivity rates, allowing for more precise targeting of interventions. In Turkana County, which has transitioned into a stable endemic zone, seasonal malaria peaks still occur, with cases increasing by over 65% during the rainy season. In response, an SMC campaign was launched in 2024, targeting children under five in Turkana Central Sub-county. The campaign yielded impressive results, with 71% of children completing all five treatment cycles, demonstrating strong community participation and engagement.
While the battle against malaria in Kenya continues to face challenges, these ongoing efforts, bolstered by advanced surveillance and targeted interventions, are playing a crucial role in reducing the burden of the disease and improving public health outcomes in the affected counties.
