Community Health Volunteers Mobilized for Mass Screenings

the government began an extensive public health initiative in Kakamega County, launching a five-day Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign targeting neglected tropical diseases such as intestinal worms and bilharzia. The programme aims to reach at least 1.8 million residents across the county, responding to the persistent burden of these preventable infections, especially in rural and low-income areas where sanitation levels remain a challenge. The MDA is part of a larger national strategy to eliminate neglected tropical diseases and reduce their long-term impact on children’s growth, adults’ productivity, and overall community well-being. More than 4,250 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) were deployed to carry out the campaign, using a door-to-door model to ensure that no household is missed. These volunteers are also visiting schools, marketplaces, churches, and other public gatherings to distribute deworming tablets and educate the public about disease prevention. Their involvement has significantly increased coverage compared to previous campaigns, as CHPs have closer relationships with households and can reach populations that often lack access to health facilities. Their role includes verifying households’ health status, identifying high-risk individuals, and offering immediate referral pathways to nearby health centers when complications or co-existing illnesses are detected.
Beyond administering drugs, the campaign has expanded to include mass screenings for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes — conditions that are rapidly rising across the country but often remain undetected until complications occur. According to data from the ongoing exercise, more than 10,000 people have been screened so far, with approximately 1,200 already identified as needing medical attention and subsequently linked to care. This integrated approach reflects a growing recognition in Kenya’s health sector that community health outreach must go beyond infectious diseases and encompass lifestyle-related illnesses, which now account for a significant portion of the national disease burden.
The success of the campaign highlights the critical role that community health volunteers play in strengthening Kenya’s primary healthcare system. By combining drug administration, health education, early diagnosis, and referral services, CHPs act as the frontline defence against preventable illnesses and bridge the gap between underserved populations and the formal health system. Their mobilization demonstrates how grassroots health workers can deliver rapid, wide-scale interventions that improve both disease prevention and long-term health outcomes. As Kenya continues to push toward Universal Health Coverage, such community-driven models are proving essential in reaching remote areas, improving health literacy, and ensuring that health services are accessible to all citizens regardless of socio-economic status.