Kenya recorded 5 million Malaria Cases in 2024

(3 Minutes Read)

International and domestic funding gaps threaten to stall progress, with Gilbert Wangalwa, Deputy Country Director of Amref Health Africa, warning that Kenya’s heavy reliance on external support leaves elimination efforts “perilously vulnerable.”

The Kenyan government has sounded the alarm over malaria’s persistent threat, announcing the country recorded over 5 million cases in 2024, with hotspots concentrated in counties bordering Lake Victoria, Turkana, and Kwale.

Speaking at a health event in Kwale, Dr. Joseph Lenai, Director of Preventive and Promotive Healthcare, emphasised that over 70% of Kenya’s population remains at risk, calling the disease a “socio-economic anchor” that disrupts education, productivity, and household finances.

National malaria prevalence has dropped from 8% to 6% over the past decade, attributed to scaled-up interventions. These include the distribution of 14.6 million insecticide-treated nets across 24 high-risk counties in 2023/2024 and the rollout of malaria vaccines targeting vulnerable children under five.

The Ministry of Health is also leveraging digital tools to train healthcare workers and deepening cross-border collaboration. Duale noted partnerships with Uganda under the Great Lakes Malaria Initiative (GLMI) to combat the disease in shared regions. However, challenges loom.

International and domestic funding gaps threaten to stall progress, with Gilbert Wangalwa, Deputy Country Director of Amref Health Africa, warning that Kenya’s heavy reliance on external support leaves elimination efforts “perilously vulnerable.”

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Roneek Vora, Director of Sales at Revital EPZ Ltd and member of the End Malaria Council (EMC), stressed the need for a “whole-of-society approach” to meet Kenya’s 2030 elimination target.