Efforts to contain malaria transmission in the Kerio Valley has gained momentum after the Elgeyo Marakwet County Department of Public Health commenced indoor residual spraying demonstrations at Kaparon in Endo Ward, Kerio Valley Sub-County.
The exercise is part of a broader malaria prevention and control intervention targeting households in the ward, with the programme expected to cover all eligible households as part of efforts to reduce mosquito populations and interrupt malaria transmission.
Preventive and Promotive Health Services Chief Officer Caroline Magut, who led the public health team during the demonstration, said the county government was committed to strengthening preventive interventions in malaria-prone areas of the Kerio Valley.
“Indoor residual spraying is a critical public health intervention in our efforts to reduce malaria transmission in Kerio Valley. By ensuring that all households in Endo Ward are covered, we aim to protect residents by reducing the population of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes within homes,” said Magut.
She urged residents to cooperate with the spraying teams and allow trained personnel access to their houses to ensure the intervention achieves the intended public health outcomes.
“We appeal to all households to support this exercise by allowing our teams to carry out the spraying as scheduled. Community participation is essential if we are to achieve comprehensive coverage and effectively contain malaria,” Magut said.
Acting Director of Public Health Renisson Changwony said the intervention formed part of an integrated approach to malaria prevention, surveillance and control in areas considered vulnerable to the disease.
“Indoor residual spraying complements other malaria prevention measures, including the use of treated mosquito nets, early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Our objective is to reduce the risk of transmission and ultimately lower the malaria burden among communities in the Kerio Valley,” said Changwony.
He added that the department would continue monitoring the implementation of the programme to ensure adherence to established public health and environmental safety standards.
“We have deployed trained personnel to conduct the exercise, and we will closely monitor coverage and implementation to ensure that the intervention delivers the desired impact,” Changwony said.
County Malaria Control Coordinator Mary Towett said household-level participation would be critical in achieving effective coverage, noting that indoor residual spraying works by applying approved insecticides to interior surfaces where malaria-transmitting mosquitoes are likely to rest.
“For the intervention to be effective, we need maximum household coverage. We are encouraging residents to cooperate with the spraying teams and follow the guidance provided before, during and after the spraying exercise,” Towett said.
She said the malaria control programme would continue working with local communities and other stakeholders to strengthen preventive measures and promote early health-seeking behaviour among residents.
“We are also encouraging residents to seek medical attention early whenever they experience symptoms associated with malaria. Prevention, early diagnosis and prompt treatment remain key pillars in controlling the disease,” said Towett.
The indoor residual spraying campaign is expected to complement ongoing malaria prevention interventions in the Kerio Valley.
By Rennish Okong’o
