NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya has been officially declared free of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the milestone on Friday, making Kenya the tenth country globally to achieve elimination, after Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo, and Uganda.
Sleeping sickness is the second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in Kenya, following the eradication of Guinea worm disease in 2018.
“I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement,” said WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus. “This is another step towards making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases.”
HAT is a vector-borne disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, transmitted through bites from infected tsetse flies.
The Rhodesiense form — the only type present in Kenya — progresses rapidly, attacking multiple organs including the brain, and can be fatal within weeks if untreated.
The first cases in Kenya were detected in the early 20th century. After decades of control efforts, the last locally transmitted case was recorded in 2009, with the final two exported cases detected in 2012 in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale hailed the WHO validation as “a major public health milestone” that will protect lives and support economic growth. “This follows many years of dedication, hard work and collaboration,” he said.
Kenya has strengthened disease surveillance in 12 health facilities across six historically endemic counties, equipped with diagnostic tools and trained personnel.
Authorities also monitor tsetse fly populations and animal trypanosomiasis, with support from the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC) and veterinary services.
WHO Representative to Kenya Dr Abdourahmane Diallo said the success was the result of sustained government leadership, frontline health workers’ commitment, and support from partners such as FIND.
The country will now enter a post-validation surveillance phase to prevent resurgence, with the WHO keeping medicines on standby for any new cases.
Kenya joins 57 countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
