Nairobi Slums Face Waterborne Disease Outbreak

Health officials in Nairobi have issued a public alert following a spike in cholera cases in several of the city’s informal settlements, raising concerns over waterborne disease transmission in the densely populated slums. Authorities say the outbreak was first reported in Kibra Sub‑County on March 14, 2025, prompting rapid response teams to be mobilised across vulnerable communities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirm that Nairobi is among the counties grappling with cholera — a highly contagious waterborne illness caused by Vibrio cholerae. In response, public health teams are conducting active case finding, contact tracing, distributing water purification tablets, and urging residents to boil or chlorinate water before drinking.
Experts point to long-standing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges in informal settlements as a key factor in the outbreak. Many slum dwellers rely on water vendors or communal water points, and studies show contamination from open sewers and poor waste management remains high. Public health advice from the Health NGOs’ Network (HENNET) urges strict handwashing, safe water storage, use of functional latrines, and early medical care for symptoms like vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
Looking ahead, health authorities say containment hinges on improving sanitation infrastructure and reinforcing community outreach. Slum upgrading programs, tighter regulation of water sources, and ongoing health education will be crucial in stemming the spread of cholera and preventing further waterborne disease outbreaks in Nairobi’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.