NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ministry of Health has confirmed that a total of 153 cholera cases have been reported in Migori, Kisumu, and Nairobi counties, as the government steps up efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said on Sunday that 53 cases were reported in Migori, 56 cases in Kisumu, and 44 cases in Nairobi.
She warned that the government was working urgently to prevent further transmission both within and beyond the three affected counties.
Speaking after attending a church service in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Muthoni emphasized the critical role of public hygiene in combating the outbreak.
“I remind the public of the need to observe personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing, boiling drinking water, clearing bushes, and using pit latrines,” said the PS.
Muthoni also issued a stern warning against open defecation, noting that ongoing flooding across various parts of the country—fueled by heavy rains—could exacerbate the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
“Open defecation must be avoided at all costs, especially now, with floods increasing the risk of contamination,” she said.
The Ministry of Health has initiated heightened surveillance in the affected areas and launched health education campaigns to promote safe hygiene practices among communities.
Emergency response teams have been dispatched to support counties in case identification, water treatment, and public awareness.
The government is also collaborating with county governments to bolster local response mechanisms, including setting up cholera treatment centers in high-risk areas.
The confirmation of cases in Nairobi has raised concerns about a possible wider outbreak, given the city’s high population density and existing challenges with informal settlements where access to clean water and sanitation is limited.
