Turkana to receive targeted support after high malaria designation

KENYA—Turkana County has been officially identified as a high-malaria-burden region under Kenya’s 2023-2027 Malaria Strategy, prompting targeted efforts to combat the disease.

This strategy, developed by the National Malaria Control Programme, aims to steer Kenya toward eliminating malaria through coordinated control measures and regular monitoring.

Turkana’s unique challenges contribute significantly to its high malaria prevalence.

These include the mobility of pastoralist communities along international borders with Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, the presence of refugee camps in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, and rapid urbanization.

According to data from the Kenya Health Information System, Turkana has a malaria prevalence rate of 39%, significantly higher than the national average of 6%, with the situation worsening during rainy seasons when cases surge.

Commenting on this designation, Dr. Epem Esekon, Turkana County’s Executive Member for Health and Sanitation, highlighted that this designation as a high-burden area will attract increased support for interventions such as Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC).

 Notably, Turkana piloted Kenya’s first SMC initiative in Turkana Central Sub-county in partnership with Catholic Relief Services.

The pilot program, conducted between June and October 2024, targeted children aged 3 to 59 months and achieved a remarkable 70% reduction in malaria infections among this group.

Building on this success, another round of SMC is planned for June to October 2025.

Efforts to tackle malaria in Turkana also include routine surveillance conducted every three months by the National Malaria Control Program and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

Additionally, KEMRI Kisumu is set to introduce vector studies to identify mosquito species and understand their behavior better.

Other measures include intermittent prophylaxis for pregnant women and cross-border initiatives aimed at addressing malaria as a regional challenge.

Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services, Janerose Tioko, noted that malaria accounts for 30% of reported cases among both children and adults in Turkana.

She also raised concerns about the invasive mosquito species Anopheles stephensi, discovered in 2022.

This species thrives in urban areas and has shown resistance to current insecticides, further complicating malaria control efforts.

Turkana has benefited from several national initiatives, including the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) during a campaign in September 2024.

This campaign targeted 22 high-burden counties and reached over 160,000 households in Turkana.

Moreover, the county is collaborating with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology on a two-year research project titled “Symbio Vector: Controlling Malaria from Within.”

This study explores using inherited microbes (*Microsporidia-MB*) to block malaria transmission by female mosquitoes.

The County Health Department remains committed to improving malaria control through accurate data collection, evidence-based resource allocation, community engagement, and integrated health services.

Dr. Esekon emphasized that these proactive measures are crucial for reducing malaria-related deaths and improving health outcomes for residents of Turkana County.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and beyond. Also, follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.