NAIROBI, Kenya- In a determined push to curb the spread of malaria, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) is in the final phase of distributing 10.9 million long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) across 20 high-risk counties.
This massive undertaking is part of the 2023/2024 campaign launched last November, aiming to shield millions from malaria—a disease that remains a significant public health challenge in Kenya.
Baringo County is the latest beneficiary in this nationwide campaign, receiving 298,000 mosquito nets targeting households in Eldama Ravine, Mogotio, and Baringo South sub-counties.
Known for its seasonal malaria transmission, Baringo has seen a troubling resurgence of the disease, particularly after prolonged rains.
KEMSA’s CEO, Dr. Waqo Dulacha, praised the seamless collaboration between the agency and county governments, highlighting that 17 of the 18 targeted counties have already received their share of LLINs.
Only Turkana County remains on the distribution list, but plans are already in motion to extend the initiative to Nandi and Kericho, broadening the campaign’s reach.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this life-saving initiative, focusing primarily on protecting children under five and pregnant women from malaria,” Dr. Dulacha said during a recent assessment of KEMSA’s Nakuru depot.
He added that the nets, which have a three-year lifespan, are a critical intervention in the fight against malaria.
The success of this extensive distribution campaign is made possible through the support of global partners like the Global Fund and the U.S. government, which have funneled resources through the National Treasury and the Ministry of Health.
KEMSA has played a crucial role in ensuring these essential commodities reach even the most remote households, overcoming challenges such as difficult terrain and heavy rains.
Dr. Dulacha also acknowledged the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, which has reached four additional counties through the efforts of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Registered beneficiaries have been notified via text messages about where they can collect their mosquito nets, ensuring that the distribution process is both efficient and transparent.
In July alone, Baringo recorded a malaria positivity rate of 16.5pc, with over 1,800 cases confirmed through diagnostic testing.
The upsurge has been particularly severe in the Tiaty West area, where the disease affects nearly 40pc of the population.
The local government is not only focusing on distribution but also ramping up social and behavioral change campaigns to encourage residents to clear mosquito breeding grounds like bushes and stagnant water.
The ongoing battle against malaria is also being fought on a larger scale, with Western, Nyanza, and Coast regions—historically high in malaria positivity rates—receiving the bulk of the treated bed nets.
