Reported malaria deaths in Kenya dipped by 93 percent over the past years, new data by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows, signaling gains of mainly donor-funded campaigns.
The statistics show that reported malaria casualties in Kenya fell from 15,061 in 2015 to 1,060 in 2023, surpassing the WHO's target of a 63 percent reduction in mortality rates and demonstrating effectiveness of ongoing public health interventions.
The decline in malaria deaths is primarily due to targeted efforts and sustained commitment, including distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets and implementation of a malaria vaccination programmes using the RTS, S vaccine—the world’s first malaria vaccine.
The Health ministry has set a target to distribute 15.3 million long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to about 23 million people, a critical step towards achieving universal bed net coverage in Kenya's ongoing fight against malaria.
In addition, around 400,000 children in the Lake region have received the RTS, S malaria vaccine.
"Strengthening surveillance systems, expanding access to prevention tools such as bed nets and vaccines, and addressing health inequities will be critical to reversing this resurgence. By building on past successes and addressing current challenges, Kenya can continue its progress towards malaria elimination," the report said.
However, progress against malaria in Kenya has not been linear, as challenges have arisen along the way. In 2015, the country faced a high malaria burden, with more than 15,000 deaths reported. By 2016, the number of deaths had fallen sharply to 6,003, reflecting the early success of interventions such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, improved diagnostic capacity, and increased access to antimalarial drugs.
Although no data was reported for 2017 and 2018, the decline in deaths continued, reaching 858 in 2019. Between 2020 and 2021, deaths stabilised at 742 and 753 respectively, despite the global Covid-19 pandemic disrupting health services worldwide.
The most significant achievement came in 2022 when malaria deaths fell to just 219, a 98.5 percent drop from 2015 levels, attributed to increased prevention efforts, improved access to healthcare, and enhanced awareness campaigns.
The report highlights the progress of malaria-endemic countries towards the Global Technical Strategy (GTS) 2025 target of reducing malaria incidences by at least 63 percent from a 2015 baseline.
The GTS sets a global goal of at least a 90 percent fall in malaria cases and mortality, and elimination of malaria in at least 35 countries by 2030.
Interim milestones include a global reduction in the disease burden of at least 40 percent by 2020 and 75 percent by 2025, to eliminate malaria in some 10 and 20 countries by 2020 and 2025, respectively.
The report shows that Kenya has not yet met the expected reduction target for 2025, with an "increase of between 25 and 63 percent" in malaria cases.
According to the WHO, recommended interventions need to achieve 90 percent coverage by 2030 to approach the goal of a 90 percent reduction in disease burden and eventual elimination of malaria.
Last year, Kenya reported 3,294,000 malaria cases, ranking 18th in Africa and 21st globally among WHO regions. This represents a 3.6 percent fall from the 3,417,000 cases recorded the previous year. During this period, the national prevalence of malaria fell from 8.2 percent to six percent.
Despite the big burden of the disease, international aid remains the main source of financial support for malaria control in Kenya, reflecting the country's dependence on external resources.
Kenya has received approximately $183.6 million in international donor funding from sources including the Global Fund, PMI/USAID, the World Bank, and the United Kingdom.
"Strengthening domestic funding would not only help reduce dependence on external sources but also promote more sustainable and resilient malaria control strategies. This is a critical step towards achieving long-term success in malaria control in the country," the report states.
The report notes a disparity between domestic and international funding for malaria. International funding averages just under $2 per person at risk, with significant support from global organisations such as the Global Fund and the US President's Malaria Initiative (PMI).
These funds are used to purchase bed nets, anti-malarial treatments, and large-scale health programmes. In contrast, domestic funding averages just over $0.50 per person at risk, suggesting that the government continues to face challenges in allocating adequate resources within its budget, particularly given competing public health priorities and pressures on the national health system.
