Lamu County Launches Mass Treated Mosquito Nets Campaign to Combat Malaria

Lamu, Kenya - 29th April 2024 - In a significant step towards malaria eradication, Lamu County has launched the Mass Treated Mosquito Nets campaign. 

Led by Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, on behalf of Mary Muthoni Muriuki, Principal Secretary of Public Health and Professional Standards, the initiative targets 22 high-burden counties and is funded by the Government of Kenya and the Global Fund.

Since its inception in November 2023, the campaign has distributed 6 million nets across nine counties: Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Kisumu, Siaya, Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita Taveta. 

Lamu County, now the 10th beneficiary, plans to distribute 111,053 nets in the coming days, leveraging a digital system for efficient distribution, with 39 thousand households already registered. 

 During the launch, attended by the Ag. Director of Preventive and Promotive Health/Primary Health Care, Dr. Joseph Lenai, the urgency of increased net utilization was emphasized, given Kenya’s malaria prevalence at 6% and Lamu’s at 3%. 

Proper net usage is crucial not only for personal protection but also as a crucial step towards WHO certification for malaria elimination. The government’s commitment to preventive healthcare was reiterated, with the deployment of Community Health Promoters and investments in local manufacturing to address stockouts. 

With 70% of commodities used in Kenya currently imported, prioritizing local manufacturing not only ensures availability but also creates job opportunities for Kenyan youth.

Collective action is essential to effectively combat malaria through the proper use of nets and other preventive measures to break the transmission cycle.