Fear of more TB cases from drinking dens after two deaths

Screening and testing of tuberculosis among chang’aa consumers and other locals in Shipalo village, Kakamega, was delayed amid fears more people could already be infected.

This comes after two people died over the weekend and four cases, including that of a one-and-a-half-year-old child, confirmed.

A local anti-TB champion Kristine Yakhama said the dead were were chang’aa consumers, and may have infected others at the drinking dens. “Men share cups and bottles within chang’aa dens, and with such, we suspect more cases,” he said.

Yakhama said the men might also have infected their families, who are yet to be screened after the delay caused by the matatu strike over high fuel prices.

The two were taken to a mission hospital after they complained of severe chest pain, persistent cough and general body weakness. They were put on treatment, but their conditions had deteriorated.

The baby, who had been abandoned at her grandmother’s house, was reportedly infected by the father, also a chang’aa consumer.

The child, who is also suffering acute malnutrition, was picked by a community health promoter during household visits.

However, county Health CEC Livington Imbayi said investigations was ongoing to verify the cases.

“A surveillance team shall be dispatched to verify the disease. But I cannot confirm if it is TB,” he said, adding that HIV was linked to most TB cases.

At least 100 children are targeted in the screening programme, including a primary school in the community. 

“People with TB are reported to default on treatment, causing it to be more resistant to treatment,” he added.

Sensitisation of the community on TB is also set to begin, including why sputum is collected. Locals are reportedly reluctant to have their sputum collected for tests.

“We need individuals to understand TB, how it is spread and why treatment is important. This helps in reducing incidences of multidrug-resistant-TB that is expensive to treat,” added Yakhama.

Spread by bacteria

TB is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria, and is spread through air through coughing, sneezing or spitting. 

Symptoms of the disease include chest pain, body weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.

Kenya is among the 30 high-burden countries for TB and TB/HIV, with TB ranking as the fourth leading cause of death, primarily affecting men.

Alcohol consumption and prioritising work over treatment are contributing to the high prevalence of TB among men in Kenya, according to the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Disease Programme.

The 2025 data shows at least 55 per cent of TB cases are men, compared to 33 per cent in women and 12 per cent in children.

Everyday, in 2023, at least 350 people developed TB, and 70 died from the disease, with most of the deaths reported among men.

In 2024, TB cases among children under 15 rose from 12 per cent in 2023 to 13 per cent.

According to the World Health Organisation, about 32,000 Kenyans died from TB in 2021.

The highest-burden counties include Nairobi, Mombasa, Meru, Kiambu, and Nakuru.