Kenya Steps Up War Against Malaria as Cases Hit 5 Million

By Eunice WAWUDA

The government has issued a stark reminder of the disease’s enduring grip, with the country recording over 5 million malaria cases in 2024.

Speaking at the event in Kwale, on behalf of Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, the Director of Preventive and Promotive Healthcare, at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Joseph Lenai, said hotspots are “concentrated in counties surrounding Lake Victoria, Turkana, and Kwale.”

“Over 70% of our population remains at risk,” said Dr. Lenai. “Malaria continues to hinder our socio-economic development—keeping children out of school, reducing productivity, and increasing household healthcare costs,” he added.

Despite the burden, progress is being made. Dr, Lenai highlighted that malaria prevalence has dropped nationally from 8 percent to 6 percent over the last decade. He credited improved uptake of interventions, including the distribution of 14.6 million insecticide-treated nets across 24 counties in 2023/2024. Kenya has also begun rolling out the malaria vaccine, targeting young children who are most vulnerable to severe cases.

The Ministry of Health is also investing in digital training for healthcare workers and expanding cross-border cooperation. Duale noted ongoing joint efforts with Uganda under the Great Lakes Malaria Initiative (GLMI) to tackle malaria across shared borders.

The Cabinet Secretary said that the government in conjunction with counties and development partners, have continued to sustain preventive interventions, including the distribution of 14.6 million nets in 2023/2024 across 24 counties, including Kwale.

Roneek Vora, a Member of End Malaria (EMC), Kenya and the Director Of Sales & Marketing Revital EPZ Ltd, emphasized the need for “relentless action” to meet the national goal of malaria elimination by 2030. “This fight is too big for government alone. We need a whole-of-society approach—public, private, and community actors working in lockstep,” said Mr Vora.

The private sector is stepping up. Mr Vora reiterated the impact of the establishment of Africa’s largest rapid diagnostic test (RDT) manufacturing facility in Kenya.

The plant has a monthly production capacity of 20 million test kits for diseases including malaria, HIV, and hepatitis. “We’ve created 200 full-time jobs, 80 percent of them for women—including people with speech and hearing impairments,” said Vora.

“Malaria is not just a health issue—it is a development issue,” said Dr. Lenai. “We are seeing what’s possible when government, communities, and the private sector work together.” Duale lauded the suport of The Global Fund, WHO, USAID, UNICEF, EMC, ALMA, ZMCC, PATH, CRS, KEMRI, AMREF and all others who work tirelessly to fight malaria.

This year’s theme – Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite – provides an opportunity to discuss innovative strategies and address persistent challenges in the fight against malaria, particularly in East Africa, where Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, all countries bordering Lake Victoria, together accounted for nearly 10 percent of all malaria cases worldwide in 2022, with an estimated 23.8 million cases and upwards of 53,000 deaths.

“Malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death, especially among children under five and pregnant women.

Yet, only 41% of the global malaria financing needs are met. In Kenya, heavy reliance on external funding makes our progress vulnerable,” said Gilbert Wangalwa
Deputy Country Director, Amref Health Africa in Kenya.

Kenya has made notable headway in its battle against malaria, with national prevalence falling from 8% in 2015 to 6% by 2020.

The number of reported cases has dropped from a peak of 9.2 million in 2007 to 5.6 million in 2023. Once responsible for nearly a third of all outpatient consultations, malaria now accounts for just 16%, according to the Ministry of Health.

Yet these hard-won gains hang in the balance. As international and domestic funding for malaria control begins to wane, health officials warn that the country’s progress could stall—or even reverse—without sustained investment and renewed commitment from all players.