Marsabit residents demand action as cases of Kala-azar disease surge

Mr Gabriel Gana, the headteacher at Albaro Primary School in Marsabit County, undergoing treatment at the Laisamis Sub-County Hospital after he was diagnosed with Kala-azar. [FILE/Michael Saitoti] Residents of Loglogo village in the remote part of Marsabit County have urged the government to intervene as Kala-azar cases rise. Over the past four months, authorities have reported the deaths of two people due to the outbreak of the disease. Gabriel Gana, the headteacher of Olbraro Primary School, is a survivor of the disease. "The disease infected me, and the quick intervention saved my life. I spent two weeks at Lologolo Hospital, where I received treatment. This deadly disease requires quick intervention to save the community," he said. However, the family of Ahmed Kambare, a resident of Loglogo village, was not lucky as they lost a brother to the disease. "We are still grieving the loss of our brother to Kala-azar disease. He succumbed at Loglogo Hospital where he was admitted," he said. "He recounted that when his brother fell ill, they initially relied on herbal treatment, assuming that it was a common fever. How we wish we had sought medical attention earlier," he regretted, advising against the use of herbs to treat the disease. Kambare called on the county government to distribute treated mosquito nets to villagers to prevent spread of the disease. "Mosquito nets would go a long way in preventing the sun flies. We also want to see more fumigation efforts," he said. Lekupe Lesiviti and Obgetin Moga, two patients undergoing treatment at Laisamis County Referral Hospital, called for quick intervention from authorities, saying the disease had ravaged the village. "People are dying, we need to see more measures taken to prevent the spread of the disease in Lologolo. We want both the national and county governments to do more to save lives," Lesiviti said. Moga called on the government to provide machines used in testing the disease in the region. "People are losing their lives. We need a more prompt intervention in preventing the spread of Kala-azar," he said. Laisamis County Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Laban Wako confirmed the rise in the number of people contracting the disease. "In September last year, we had six cases, another five cases were reported in October. In November, we had ten patients, one case in December, and in January 2025, the number rose to 17," he said, adding that this month, one person succumbed to the disease. Wako revealed that children under five years were worst hit by the disease, with 12 cases reported in January. "In January, we had five adults diagnosed with the disease. The community is suffering, but we are doing all we can to contain the disease. Early diagnosis and effective case management will reduce the prevalence of the disease and prevent disabilities and death." Wako said. He said the elderly, children, and youth were in great danger and that the disease. Some patients are currently undergoing treatment at the Laisamis sub-county referral hospital. Wako said women and girls are trained to keep their houses and surroundings clean to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes and sandflies. "Community health volunteers have also been trained for early diagnosis and effective case management of kalaazar cases to reduce the prevalence of the disease and prevent disabilities and death." He said. Ahmed Kura, the Executive Director of the Kenya Drylands Education Fund said the organization is supporting the fumigation efforts and is collaborating with the Department of Health and the county government to provide pesticides. "We are also supporting with drugs to treat the disease. We call on organizations that deal with health issues to intervene," Kura said.

Marsabit residents demand action as cases of Kala-azar disease surge

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Marsabit residents demand action as cases of Kala-azar disease surge

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