Written By: Faith Jemosop
Nairobi, Kenya, April 27, 2025 – Kenya is grappling with a cholera outbreak that has infected at least 156 people and claimed 6 lives, the Ministry of Health confirmed on Saturday. The outbreak has been reported in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Migori counties, sparking nationwide concern as health authorities intensify emergency response measures.
According to the Ministry’s latest update, Kisumu County recorded the highest number with 91 cases and 4 deaths, followed by Migori County with 53 cases and 1 death, while Nairobi County reported 12 cases and 1 death. Health officials have linked the outbreak to contaminated water sources and poor sanitation conditions worsened by extreme weather patterns.
Hard-Hit Areas
- In Kisumu, the worst-affected areas include Nyando and Muhoroni sub-counties.
- In Migori, cases are concentrated in Suna East, Suna West, Kuria East, and Kuria West.
- In Nairobi, infections are spread across Kasarani, Embakasi East, Embakasi Central, RoySambu, Kibra, and Dagoretti South constituencies.
Emergency health teams have been deployed to the affected regions to contain the spread, while water purification efforts and community sensitization campaigns are underway.
Climate Change’s Role in the Outbreak
Experts warn that climate change is increasingly contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.
Kenya has faced a cycle of severe droughts followed by intense flooding, a pattern that compromises water quality and hygiene infrastructure.
During droughts, residents are often forced to rely on unsafe water sources such as rivers and ponds. When floods occur, these same sources become contaminated with raw sewage and waste, creating ideal conditions for cholera bacteria to thrive and spread.
A 2024 UNEP report noted that “rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns are exacerbating health risks in East Africa, with cholera outbreaks expected to rise unless urgent mitigation measures are taken.”
Additional Causes Beyond Climate Change
- Inadequate sanitation and hygiene: Open defecation and poor waste management in informal settlements, especially in urban areas like Nairobi, have intensified the problem.
- Urban crowding: High population densities in slums hinder effective disease control.
- Weak healthcare infrastructure: Delayed detection, limited resources, and overstretched health facilities make outbreak management difficult.
Also Read: Why the Climate Crisis Is Also a Health Crisis
The Ministry of Health has rolled out several interventions, including:
- Establishing cholera treatment centers in major hospitals within the affected counties.
- Distributing water treatment tablets and hygiene kits to vulnerable households.
- Conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns focused on safe water practices, proper handwashing, and food hygiene.
- Partnering with NGOs and UN agencies to strengthen emergency response logistics.
Also read: How Climate Change Is Affecting Africa
Health experts recommend that Kenya adopts a multi-pronged strategy to prevent future outbreaks:
- Investing in permanent water and sanitation infrastructure, especially in slum areas.
- Implementing climate change adaptation measures such as improved drainage systems and early flood warning systems.
- Enhancing disease surveillance systems to detect outbreaks early and respond swiftly.
- Strengthening public health education at the grassroots level.
