Health sector officials in Kisumu County have cautioned the public against the misuse of government-distributed treated mosquito nets.

The County Malaria Control Programme coordinator, Dr Lilyana Dayo, lamented that some residents have the habit of using mosquito nets for purposes other than sleeping under them to prevent malaria. 

Across the county, it has been noted that members of the public convert the mosquito nets given to them to other improper uses other than their intended life-saving purpose.

Some use the nets to cover vegetables in their kitchen gardens, while others employ them to protect chicks. 

Dayo stressed that the trend was derailing the preventive efforts to combat malaria, and it must stop.

She stated that proper usage of the nets is expected to break the malaria transmission cycle and curb the spread. 

According to the health official, the purpose of the mosquito nets is to shield locals from mosquito bites, which are the vector that spreads malaria. 

“The objective of giving out the mosquito nets is to encourage everyone to sleep inside the treated nets, especially the malaria-vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children under five years. We expect them to be used as per the intended purpose,” Dayo said. 

The county health official was speaking during a sensitisation forum on malaria in Kisumu town organised by the Kenya Nile Discourse Forum and Community Empowerment and Media Initiative in Kisumu.

She revealed that over 700,000 mosquito nets have so far been distributed to households in the county as a preventative measure against malaria. 

Welcome decline  

Kisumu County is among the malaria-endemic regions in the country, given its geographic and climatic conditions. 

According to Dayo, a recent survey shows a notable reduction in malaria prevalence in Kisumu county in recent years, up from an initial 50 per cent early 2000s to 15.6 per cent currently. 

Cumulatively, the prevalence of malaria in the lake region stands at 19 per cent, she said. 

She highlighted that efforts towards sensitisation and awareness campaigns against malaria have significantly contributed to the reduction in its prevalence in the area. 

However, while recognising a notable decline in the disease prevalence over the years, Dayo emphasised that a lot of concerted efforts and collaborations were needed to eliminate the scourge. 

“Focus should be given to preventive interventions with the aim to ensuring a malaria-free society,” she said, adding that the elimination of malaria depended on contributions and support from all. 

Dayo pointed out that the county health department will continue to implement strategic interventions to ensure that the number of malaria cases drops further.

She called for increased budgetary allocations by county governments in the lake region to tackle the malaria burden. 

This comes as Kenya prepares to join the rest of the countries in marking this year’s World Malaria Day on April 25, 2025.

Malaria is considered one of Kenya’s leading causes of death and a serious public health concern.