Experts Warn of Antibiotic Misuse Among Households

Health experts in Kenya are sounding the alarm on rising antibiotic misuse at the household level, warning that this dangerous trend is fueling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing public health threat. During a sensitization event in Murang’a County, clinical pharmacist Dr. Loise Kariuki cautioned that many people are using antibiotics without proper medical guidance — either buying them over the counter or using leftovers from previous prescriptions — which undermines the effectiveness of these critical medicines.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni echoed these concerns, urging Kenyans to stop self-medicating with antibiotics. She emphasized that many common illnesses, like colds and the flu, are viral and do not require antibiotics — yet people often buy these drugs themselves from pharmacies. She warned that such misuse could render antibiotics useless when they are truly needed.
A recent study in informal settlements in Kisumu also highlighted alarming household practices. Researchers found that 43% of households reported using antibiotics, over half of them didn’t complete the full course, and many disposed of leftover medicine improperly — such as throwing it in pit latrines or compost pits. This misuse and poor disposal, experts warn, contributes to environmental contamination and accelerates the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Meanwhile, a study from JKUAT has exposed broader systemic problems. According to the research, many health facilities lack strong lab capacity to properly test for infections, and a majority of hospitals surveyed do not even have antibiotic-use guidelines or functional antimicrobial stewardship committees. Without these critical systems, doctors may prescribe antibiotics blindly, further worsening resistance.