The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) has already carried out a pilot programme in Migori County that saw 200,000 structures sprayed.
The IRS intervention complements use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, increased supply of anti-malaria drugs as well early diagnosis and treatment.
The government is set to carry out a new round of Indoor Residue Spraying (IRS) in four Malaria endemic counties starting next year to curb spread of the killer disease.
The IRS, which involves spraying walls, ceilings and other indoor resting places against mosquitos, is expected to cover Homabay, Busia, Siaya and Kisumu counties, which carry the biggest disease burden in Kenya.
The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) has already carried out a pilot programme in Migori County that saw 200,000 structures sprayed.
The malaria prevalence in the five counties currently stands at 27 per cent against the country’s eight per cent, a three per cent decrease from five years ago.
The IRS intervention complements use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, increased supply of anti-malaria drugs as well early diagnosis and treatment.
“Four other counties in the lake endemic region will be targeted for spraying between 2018 and 2021,” said Health Cabinet Secretary, Cleopa Mailu noting that IRS is a costly intervention and therefore funding gaps may hamper achievement of the planned reach.
Mr Mailu said that prevention is a priority since it yields better results through reduced disease burden while continuous monitoring of vector susceptibility will inform on the extent of insecticide resistance.
The government is set to also distribute 15 million mosquito nets to further curb the disease and lower fatalities.
According to the most recent official data, malaria is the number two killer disease in the country, claiming 16,000 lives last year - mostly pregnant women and children.
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