Kakamega County to get 1.2 million treated mosquito nets

Pamela Anyango in her house in Kanyaijowi village. She lost her first child to malaria. photo:courtesy

The Global Fund has partnered with Population Service International, Kenya (PSIK) to distribute 15.1 million long-lasting treated mosquito nets in 23 counties that are malaria-prone.

Paul Manyasi, in-charge of PSIK in Kakamega, said 45 per cent of residents do not use nets. He urged them to register and get the nets to help reduce malaria cases.

PSIK maternal and child health coordinator Peter Atieno said the county is expected to receive 1.2 million nets.

The nets will be distributed per the number of individuals in each household after the registration process which started on Friday. 

"Residents should give the exact number of people living in their houses and not lie because there are notorious residents who exaggerate then end up using the extra ones to rear chicken and fencing vegetables farms.

The Government seeks to ensure the campaign covers everyone in the target counties as we aim to achieve universal coverage because of the high risk of contracting malaria in these counties," Atieno said.

 He said community health agents will be moving from house to house to register people. The nets will be distributed in October and November.

Manyasi said they are working with other stakeholders to adopt measures seeking to maximise the reduction of malaria cases.