Kenya’s health ministry must take immediate action to curb the rising number of cholera cases and ensure the outbreak does not deteriorate further.

Development Dairies reports that the gaps in Kenya’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and practices are being amplified by the outbreak of cholera in the country.

We understand 14 patients have been confirmed to have contracted the disease in Bukoba Municipality, with one reported death so far.

In 2023, the cholera outbreak was reported across 12 regions of the country, of which 927 patients and 27 deaths were recorded, according to the Minister of Health, Ummy Mwalimu.

Also, in December 2023, the number of patients confirmed to have contracted Cholera in Missenyi District increased to seven, with four confirmed deaths.

In Kenya, according to a USAID report, about 9.9 million people drink directly from contaminated surface water sources, and an estimated five million people practice open defecation. Only 25 percent of Kenyans have hand-washing facilities with soap and water at home.

While cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, Kenyans must embrace good sanitation and hygiene practices to curb the spread of the disease.

For their part, the Kenyan Ministry of Health must provide support for quality household sanitation and hygiene products across affected communities. The government should also conduct more sensitisation campaigns for affected communities.

Photo source: ECPHA