Health

Long-lasting insecticidal nets rolled out in six counties

Principal Secretary, Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni Muriuki.

By Eunice Omollo | Tuesday, January 23, 2024

The nationwide distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) continues today, January 24, 2024, with Kisii County as the first beneficiary this year.

The nationwide distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) continues today, January 24, 2024, with Kisii County as the first beneficiary this year. Residents of Kisii can expect to receive 941,368 nets, while neighbouring Nyamira County will follow suit on January 31st with 449,974 nets.

"We commend the County Governments of Homabay, Kisii, and Nyamira for taking the lead in this crucial malaria control campaign," stated Principal Secretary, Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni Muriuki. "Their support is instrumental in achieving our goal of protecting communities from this preventable disease."

Meanwhile, preparations are underway in six other counties for the next phase of the distribution, scheduled to run from January 22nd to February 3rd, 2024. This phase targets Kisumu, Siaya, Migori (Lake endemic region), Kwale, Mombasa, and Taita Taveta (Coast endemic region), drawing on lessons learned from previous campaigns.

The nationwide LLIN distribution program began in 2006, aimed at tackling malaria in high-burden regions. Since then, Kenya has seen a steady decline in malaria prevalence, from 8% in 2015 to 6% in 2020. The Ministry of Health attributes this progress to increased LLIN use and the introduction of a pilot malaria vaccine for children.

However, the threat of malaria remains significant. In 2022, Kenya reported approximately 6.7 million clinical cases and 4,000 deaths, with children under five and pregnant women disproportionately affected.

The 2023/2024 LLIN campaign aims to distribute 15.3 million nets in 22 targeted counties. Following a successful launch in Homabay County (91% household coverage), the program now focuses on Kisii and Nyamira.

This renewed push for LLIN distribution comes alongside a historic milestone in the global fight against malaria: the recent rollout of the world's first routine malaria vaccine program in Cameroon. This landmark achievement offers new hope for saving countless lives across Africa, including within Kenya.