Malaria is finally showing some bite back in terms of progress. After all the hard work put into the fight against the disease, Kenya is finally seeing the results, with the number of malaria infections decreasing. In 2023, the incidence rate was 104 infections per 1,000 people, but in 2025, it has decreased to 72 infections per 1,000, according to the latest figures released by the Health Ministry.
Although it is still a big threat, Kenya is moving in the right direction in the fight against the disease.
This was revealed during a meeting between the Ministry of Health and the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), which was chaired by the alliance’s executive secretary, Joy Phumaphi.
Although there is reason to celebrate, there is still a long way to go in the fight against the disease, said Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Also contributing to the decline in the incidence of the disease is the increased number of community promoters, which is currently above 107,000.
Kenya is implementing the Kenya Malaria Strategy 2023-2027, which includes reducing the incidence of the disease by 80%, reducing deaths from the disease by 90%, and eliminating it in some counties by 2028.
According to Duale, medicine on its own was not enough to fight the war. The talks were about supporting the Reproductive Age Mortality Survey (RAMOS) in order to track maternal mortality more effectively, as well as increasing the Rapid Results Initiative to enhance planning and budgeting.
The malaria initiative forms part of a broader health reform strategy, including the Digital Superhighway Programme and the Social Health Authority, with the goal of attaining Universal Health Coverage in Kenya.
Officials present at the meeting were Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, End Malaria Council Advisor Dr. Willis Akhwale, Family Health Director Dr. Bashir Issak, and Kenya National Public Health Institute Acting CEO Dr. Maureen Kamene.
