NAIROBI, Kenya — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has dismissed as false claims circulating on social media that it released mosquitoes in Kenya, following online reports of unusually aggressive insects in parts of Nairobi.
In a statement issued on Monday, the foundation said it does not release mosquitoes, operate laboratories that do so, or run vector-control activities in Nairobi or anywhere else in the world.
“The foundation does not release mosquitoes, nor does it operate laboratories or vector-control programmes that deploy insects,” the statement said.
It added that all malaria prevention and control efforts in Kenya are led by Kenyan authorities and institutions, in line with national laws, scientific protocols and regulatory oversight.
“The foundation supports Kenyan-led priorities transparently and responsibly, working alongside governments, researchers and public health partners,” it said.
Social Media Claims
The clarification follows remarks by Senior Counsel Paul Muite, who claimed online that the Gates Foundation had released genetically modified mosquitoes intended to fight malaria but which were now allegedly harming residents.
The claims gained traction amid unverified reports by Nairobi residents who said they were experiencing an unusual surge of aggressive insects that appeared resistant to common repellents.
Speculation centred on neighbourhoods near research institutions, including the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), with some social media users linking the reports to alleged experimental activities.
However, no public health authority has issued an alert confirming a citywide increase in mosquito populations or linking any insect activity to research programmes.
Malaria control programmes in Kenya are coordinated by the Ministry of Health in partnership with county governments, universities, and international agencies. These include bed net distribution, indoor residual spraying, and environmental management.
The Gates Foundation said it does not run mosquito-release laboratories in Kenya and has no role in deploying insects for vector control. It stressed that malaria-related research and interventions are conducted by Kenyan institutions under strict ethical, legal, and scientific safeguards.
Misinformation Concerns
Public health experts have repeatedly warned that misinformation can erode trust in science and undermine disease-control efforts. During previous health crises, including Covid-19, false claims circulating online were found to discourage uptake of proven interventions.
The foundation urged Kenyans to rely on verified information from recognised health authorities and research institutions.
It cautioned that spreading unverified claims risks fuelling fear and undermining confidence in public health systems.
For now, the Gates Foundation said, claims linking mosquito activity in Nairobi to its work are “entirely false” and unsupported by evidence.
