Health secretary Cleopa Mailu said the nets would be offered mainly to expectant mothers and children under five years starting July.
The mosquito nets, which have an electrostatic coating allowing them to carry higher doses of insecticide, have been identified as remedy for the insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.
About 15 million long-lasting treated mosquito nets will be distributed for free in 23 counties to curb malaria that remains a top killer of Kenyans. Health secretary Cleopa Mailu said the nets would be offered mainly to expectant mothers and children under five years starting July.
Malaria is the second biggest killer disease with 16,000 deaths reported last year after pneumonia, indicating fewer Kenyans are dying from the ailment that killed 24,772 in 2012.
The mosquito nets, which have an electrostatic coating allowing them to carry higher doses of insecticide, have been identified as remedy for the insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.
“The government of Kenya, in conjunction with various partners will this year distribute over 15 million long lasting treated mosquito nets to combat the spread of malaria in the country,” he said during this year’s World Malaria Day celebrations in Narok County.
Dr Mailu said the plan is to eradicate malaria.
The decline in deaths from malaria is attributed to progress in more households owning mosquito nets following government campaigns as well as quick response and treatment of children with malaria symptoms.
The WHO picked Kenya among three African countries including Ghana and Malawi to test the first anti-malaria vaccine, that is considered a breakthrough in war on the disease.
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