Five million bed nets for new anti-malaria drive

By Kepher Otieno

A campaign to tame malaria was launched in Kisumu.

The campaign, driven by an international NGO and supported by blue-chip companies and religious organisations, is expected to cut new malaria cases by more than 50 per cent among vulnerable groups in Kenya and other Sub –Saharan countries, with the distribution of five million treated mosquito nets.

Yesterday, the Nets For Life organisation launched the second phase of the malaria campaign project at Kit Mikayi in Kisumu Rural where hundreds of villagers received free mosquito nets.

Lands Minister James Orengo, Coca Cola Africa President William Asiko and Nets For Life Executive Director Shaun Walsh flagged off the programme that gives fresh hope to millions of people.

Mr Walsh said Kenya was among 19 countries selected to benefit from the project also supported by Coca Cola Africa, Exxon Mobil Foundation and the Standard Chartered Bank.

The Inter-Diocesan Christian Community Services, the development arm of the Anglican Church of Kenya, and the Episcopal Relief and Development will distribute the nets locally.

The percentage of pregnant women and children sleeping under nets has shot up from 12 to 88 per cent, according to the latest Ministry of Health report.

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