Kenya yesterday joined the global community in marking World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, an annual event aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing support for the control and elimination of these diseases. Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa presided over the national commemoration at Marafa Level 4 Hospital in Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County. In her address, Dr. Barasa reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to addressing key challenges in the fight against NTDs, including sustainable funding, access to morbidity management services, and the integration of NTD services into the national health system. She called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that interventions reach affected communities, particularly those in marginalized areas. NTDs, which include diseases such as schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and trachoma, continue to pose a significant health burden in Kenya, especially in regions with poor access to clean water and sanitation. The Ministry of Health has been implementing targeted interventions, including mass drug administration, vector control, and community education, in line with the Kenya National Master Plan for NTD Elimination (2023–2027).
The Ministry of Health has announced the advancement of the health information system having registered over 18.5 million Kenyans under the Social Health Authority (SHA) with an aim of featuring updates on key initiatives, progress, and responses to current health issues. Speaking at a press briefing MoH Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth highlighted the steady progress of the registration process, noting that the country registered an average of 276,000 new enrollees last week alone.
Dr Amoth confirmed that Kenya’s health information system remains robust despite minor complaints.
He commended Mombasa County’s leadership for successfully digitizing 91 percent of its Level 2 health facilities and fully integrated all Level 3 hospitals into the digital system.
The State Department for Irrigation has developed National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) which outlines a detailed roadmap with specific goals, strategic actions, and investment priorities for investments into irrigation with five clear pathways. The Principal Secretary State Department for Irrigation Ephantus Kimothoduring stakeholder’s engagement said that NISIP will help addresses critical areas such as water-use efficiency, infrastructure modernization, institutional strengthening, and climate adaptation to steer the country toward food security and social economic prosperity.
NISIP focuses on expanding irrigation to 1.5 million acres by 2030, supported by complementary investments in water harvesting, storage reservoirs, and optimized infrastructure to address both immediate needs and long-term sustainability helping creation of a robust irrigation system capable of adapting to future demands and climatic conditions. The launch of NISIP, which is planned on 21st March 2025, has five clear investment pathways aimed to promote, harmonize, and optimize irrigation spending.
About 320 people benefited from free eye care treatment during a 2-day medical camp at Iten outreach church in Elgeyo Marakwet county. The exercise was led by Dr. Ralph Dehaan and Dr. Patrick Mugo from Balm Africa and eye care partners’ PC. Patients were issued with free spectacles and medication with one of the patients Michael Rotich, who had lived for years with eye complications saying that he is grateful because he has been able to see and read clearly after receiving treatment. Speaking during the medical camp, Agness Maiyo, the eye focal person in the county said that she’s lobbying for the establishment of clinics in the rural areas in order to bring eye care services closer to the residents.
She thanked the county government for equipping the county with human resource saying there are two consultants and adequate health personnel, who offer eye care services at Iten referral hospital, thus offering quality services to those suffering eye ailments.
Over 900 male recruits from Kericho County have successfully secured employment in the building and construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a successful two- day’s recruitment exercise held at the Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College (KERITTVC). This follows the government announcement last year to recruit skilled youth nationwide for overseas jobs. The State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training engaged four recruitment agencies that presented themselves at KERITTVC notably Blue Wave International Services Limited, Raytoria, Al Suwedi International Recruitment Agency Limited and Loivin recruitment, all duly registered under the National Employment Authority (NEA) that identified the skills needed in UAE where the youths are destined to work. In an interview at the end of the exercise held at the institution, Principal Shadrack Tonui said over 1, 000 recruits with skills in carpentry, masonry, electrical engineering, plumbing, steel fixing, among others turned up for the interviews with 900 qualifying to work in UAE. He added that four employment agencies not only conducted oral but also practical interviews to check on the technical capability of the recruits while appealing to those who passed the rigorous recruitment exercise to positively represent Kenya in the UAE.
Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu has maintained that the transferred police officers in Narok East Police stations should leave the stations immediately, despite a court order that stopped the transfer of the 190 officers. Ntutu who spoke at Suswa trading centre during a development tour admitted to have initiated the transfer of the officers through the Attorney General’s office after two young men were allegedly shot dead by police officers in a protest at Duka muja area on January 17.The locals had barricaded the road to protest the knocking and killing of a flock of sheep by a speeding vehicle. Attempts by the police to unblock the road faced stern opposition from the locals causing the police to shoot in the air to scare the irate mob. The running battle between the police and the locals led to two people shot dead, one police officer’s left hand chopped off and nine people among them seven police officers left nursing serious injuries.Governor Ntutu said he would leave no stone unturned until all the officers stationed in Narok East Sub County are transferred and replaced by new faces.