Kenya Records Decline in Malaria Deaths After New Interventions

Kenya is celebrating a dramatic drop in malaria deaths, with recent data showing a 93% reduction since 2015—a success attributed to intensified public health interventions. According to the Ministry of Health, efforts under the Kenya Malaria Strategy (2023–2027), including widespread distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), improved diagnostic capacity, and new vaccine rollouts, have played a major role in driving down mortality.
One of the pivotal strategies has been the mass distribution of mosquito nets. In 2024 alone, the government distributed over 15.3 million LLINs across malaria‐high counties. In addition, the Ministry of Health is scaling up Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC)—especially in historically high-risk areas like Turkana County. These combined efforts have significantly cut down not just malaria incidence but also severe cases that often lead to fatalities.
International partnerships have also been critical. Through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), community‐based malaria programs have expanded, helping more children under five get treatment and preventive care. Meanwhile, Kenya has strengthened collaboration with private and non‐profit actors to boost local capacity for malaria control. Looking ahead, health officials warn that sustaining these gains will require continued commitment. Challenges like insecticide and drug resistance, as well as potential funding shortfalls, loom large. Public Health PS Mary Muthoni has called for sustained multisectoral partnerships to ensure that Kenya stays on track toward malaria elimination.