Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nyeri are reporting imported malaria cases, making it harder for them to eradicate the disease even as confirmed infections have increased.
According to health sector data, Murang’a recorded a 92 percent increase in confirmed outpatient malaria cases between 2021 and September 2026, while cases in Kirinyaga rose by 33 percent and in Nyeri by 12 percent.
However, the latest data does not specify the counties or regions where the imported infections in the three counties are originating.
Imported malaria occurs when a person contracts the infection in one area but is diagnosed in another. Infected travellers can carry the parasite into counties with low local transmission, where mosquitoes may spread it to others.
These infections may be linked to travel from regions with higher malaria transmission, including areas around Lake Victoria and the coast.
These three counties, alongside Laikipia and Nyandarua, are among the five targeted by the government for malaria elimination by 2027/28.
Earlier in the year, the Principal Secretary for Public Health, Mary Muthoni, said that Kirinyaga had recorded near-zero malaria cases acquired through local transmission in recent years.
‘Kirinyaga has recorded near-zero indigenous cases in recent years and is part of the Mt Kenya region counties targeted for elimination,’ she said.
Nationally, confirmed outpatient malaria cases declined from 5.54 million in 2023 to 3.64 million in the 12 months to September 2026. The confirmed case rate also fell from 104.4 per 1,000 people in 2023 to 64.2 in the latest reporting period.
“The changes deserve investigation”
Despite the national decline, 12 counties recorded increases in confirmed cases, while 35 registered reductions.
‘Most counties recorded fewer confirmed malaria cases than in 2021, but increases were concentrated in 12 counties.’ Mandera had the largest percentage rise, followed by Homa Bay and Murang’a. These changes deserve investigation, particularly given that the increase in cases also represents a substantial number of patients,’ the health sector document stated.
Mandera recorded the largest percentage increase in confirmed cases, at 362 percent, followed by Homa Bay at 142 percent and Murang’a at 92 percent.
This trend was also evident in the malaria rate, relative to the population size. Six counties recorded higher confirmed rates per 1,000 people: Mandera, Homa Bay, Murang’a, Marsabit, Kirinyaga and Turkana. Wajir and Migori remained relatively stable, while the other counties recorded declines.
‘Six counties recorded higher confirmed malaria rates per 1,000 people: Mandera, Homa Bay, Murang’a, Marsabit, Kirinyaga and Turkana. Wajir and Migori remained relatively stable. The remaining counties recorded reductions, although continued surveillance is needed to understand local differences,’ the document stated.