Narok County Steps Up Cholera Surveillance as Cases Rise in Kilgoris
Narok County has intensified public health surveillance in Kilgoris after a fresh outbreak of cholera claimed several lives and left more residents hospitalized. Public health officials, supported by county leadership, have launched an emergency response plan that focuses on rapid detection, community awareness, and clean water distribution to vulnerable institutions. The move comes after rising fears in parts of Trans Mara, where health facilities have reported a spike in suspected cholera cases over the past week.
During the latest field assessment, county teams distributed clean and treated water to several schools in Kilgoris—considered high-risk zones due to crowded learning environments and limited sanitation resources. Health officers also conducted facility-based screenings and community education on symptoms, early treatment, and sanitation practices. According to officials on the ground, the ongoing dry spell has worsened water shortages, pushing many households to rely on unsafe sources, which is believed to have accelerated the spread of the disease.
Local leaders praised the swift county intervention, with residents acknowledging the efforts of officers such as Daniel Kurao, who community members described as a hero for coordinating water distribution and public sensitization. Despite the intensified response, some residents expressed frustration that early warnings were dismissed as panic, only for the situation to escalate. Public health experts have now urged families to ensure proper handwashing, avoid consuming unboiled water, and seek treatment immediately if symptoms appear, noting that delayed response significantly increases fatality risk.
Narok County’s Department of Health says its focus in the coming weeks will be expanding water treatment points, strengthening surveillance networks, and deploying more field teams to remote villages. The county is also working with the Ministry of Health to increase supplies of rehydration salts, IV fluids, and rapid diagnostic kits. Authorities warn that unless water access and sanitation improve, sporadic cholera outbreaks will persist. They however remain optimistic that with community cooperation and sustained monitoring, the current outbreak in Kilgoris can be contained quickly and future flare-ups minimized.