State distributes mosquito nets to curb malaria in Baringo, Narok

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muriuki during distribution of mosquito nets in Narok county, on August 28, 2024. [George Sayagie, Standard]

Global Fund through the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa), has embarked on distribution of mosquito nets in malaria endemic regions across the country.

The ambitious campaign that will see at least 290,000 mosquito nets issued to households comes at a time when some counties – including Baringo – are reporting a spike in highland malaria, which has already claimed lives.

Baringo is among the three counties with a population of 474,000, set to benefit from mosquito nets.

Eldama Ravine sub-county, within the county, has already received 95,000 nets, while Mogotio and Baringo South got 72,000 and 80,000 nets respectively.

Families in Narok North and Trans Mara sub-counties, in Narok ounty also received the mosquito nets.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muriuki, said efforts to combat malaria go beyond distribution of nets.

“Apart from mosquito nets the Ministry has recruited and equipped 107,831 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) nationwide and provided them with comprehensive training and they are at the first level of response in villages to curb the spread of malaria,” said Muriuki.

The PS was accompanied by Narok County Deputy Governor, Tamalinye Koech, National Director of Primary Healthcare, Joseph Lenai, and Narok County Commissioner, Kipkech Lotiatia.

Ms Muriuki said that they are giving four nets per household to ensure that over million people are protected from malaria and the exercise is targeting pregnant women and children below five years.

To better serve all Kenyans, especially those in marginalised areas, she revealed that the ministry has established a synergised referral system across the country, from Level 1 (CHPs) to National Referral Hospitals (Level 6).

This initiative aims to reduce overcrowding at referral hospitals by managing diseases at the lowest level possible, thereby decreasing the time it takes for patients to see a doctor.

She said the ministry has also established 189 of the targeted 315 Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across the country to ensure that health services are accessible to all, including remote and under served areas mostly in malaria endemic counties. 

The distribution of 759,106 nets in Narok targets 212,575 households that had been registered.

The initiative aims to protect 1,504,422 residents. Up to 640 distribution posts have been established across the sub-counties.

In Trans Mara, some 26,000 households have received the nets.

Trans Mara East sub-county Malaria Control Coordinator, Joel Taah, said the exercise targets 84,365 to 26,390 households who registered for the nets.

"I urge all the households who registered for the mosquito nets to turn up in large numbers and collect the nets in all the 51 distribution points where they registered before September 1," said Taah.
He warned the beneficiaries against selling and improper use of the nets.

CHPs have been tasked to ensure proper use of nets through household visits.

Kemsa CEO Waqo Dulacha Ejersa, acknowledged the role of the Global Fund and the US government in the initiative, saying that they have supported it through the National Treasury.
"They have supported us through the National Treasury and the Ministry of Health to a tune of 10.9 million nets to about 22 counties. Four counties have been distributed through other mechanisms but we are going to 18 counties," he said.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows that 20,000 people have died in the country in the last year due to malaria-related complications while millions got infected.

Mercy Chepkurui, a resident of Muserech in Baringo county, who is 8 months pregnant, said the nets will go a long way in protecting her and the baby.

“I have been using mosquito coils to reduce mosquitoes but it has not been effective. We are still contracting malaria as this does not prevent mosquito bites besides buying mosquito coil every day is expensive, these nets will go a long way,” Chepkurui said.

She regretted that Muserech village is in a lowland area and whenever it rains, water flows from  the hills and settles in homesteads, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Other sub-counties that have experienced an upsurge in malaria cases include the Kerio belt, Braingo North, Tiaty East, and Tiaty West.

Report by Hilda Otieno, George Sayagie and Kiprono Kurgat

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