Malaria Surge in Kenya

Kenya’s Malaria Comeback: Why Mosquito Nets Are Losing Their Power


By Afyamazingira Staff Writer
 October 2025


A Familiar Fever Returns


As dusk falls over the shores of Lake Victoria, the soft hum of mosquitoes cuts through the evening silence. For families in Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Siaya, this sound signals not rest—but risk. Mothers tuck their children under mosquito nets that once promised safety, but the fevers still come. Hospitals fill, thermometers rise, and the ghost of malaria—thought to be waning—stirs again.


Kenya’s long war with malaria has seen moments of triumph. Mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying, rapid testing, and the new malaria vaccine all gave hope that the country was nearing victory. Yet, fresh statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) warn of a slowdown in progress. The data reveal a troubling trend: malaria transmission is rising again in several regions—and the trusted mosquito net may no longer be the shield it once was.

Kenya’s Malaria Burden in Numbers

According to the Government of Kenya’s National Malaria Control Programme, nearly 75% of Kenyans live in malaria-risk areas (MoH, 2024). Progress has been made, but it’s uneven and fragile:

  • National prevalence dropped from 11.4% in 2010 to 5.8% in 2020, but Lake Victoria counties still report up to 19% (USAID, 2024).
  •  Deaths fell by 93%, from 15,061 in 2015 to 1,060 in 2023 (Business Daily Africa, 2024).

Outpatient cases: Malaria accounted for 15% of all consultations nationwide, and 58% in high-burden counties.

 LLIN distribution: In 2023–2024, the MoH distributed 15.3 million nets to protect 23 million people (MoH, 2024).

Yet WHO cautions that malaria incidence reduction has stalled across Africa, partly due to mosquito resistance and declining net effectiveness (WHO, 2024).


When Nets Stop Working

1. Insecticide Resistance

Mosquito species in western Kenya are developing resistance to pyrethroids, the chemical used in most nets. According to Malaria Journal(2025) in high-resistance areas, standard nets offer under 50% protection.

Declining Use and Old Nets

Even where nets exist, usage has dropped. The 2022 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey found that only 57% of people with access to nets sleep under them consistently (MoH, 2023). Many nets are torn, expired, or improperly hung.

Uneven Access

Distribution gaps persist—especially in arid counties that haven’t received replacements since earlier campaigns. These gaps allow mosquitoes to re-emerge and transmission to spike.

 Human Behavior and Climate

In hot or dry seasons, some families stop using nets entirely. When rains return, so do the mosquitoes—and the outbreaks.

The Path Forward: Integrated Vector Control

Experts agree: nets alone aren’t enough. Kenya’s next phase must combine several strategies:

  •  Deploy next-generation nets with dual insecticides.
  •  Expand indoor residual spraying (IRS) in hotspot counties.
  •  Improve data surveillance and real-time mapping of malaria trends.
  • Scale up malaria vaccination programs, especially for children under five.
  •  Promote community education to encourage consistent net use.

“Sustained community action, smart technology, and adaptive strategies are essential if we are to outsmart malaria’s evolution,”
— Dr. Sultani Matendechero, Head of Kenya’s National Public Health Institute

In Siaya County, 8-year-old Kevin  misses school twice a month due to malaria. His mother, Atieno, says their net distributed three years ago has several holes.
“We wash it, we mend it,” she says, “but still, he gets sick.”
Her story mirrors thousands across the country.

In conclusion, Kenya’s malaria journey is one of triumph and challenge. Deaths are down, but transmission remains entrenched in some regions. The humble mosquito, relentless and adaptive, reminds us that public health victories can be temporary.

As resistance spreads and nets wear thin, Kenya must renew its fight—with innovation, vigilance, and commitment. The mosquito has evolved—now, our defenses must too.

Maoni

Chapisha Maoni

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