Malaria remains one of Kenya’s leading public health challenges, posing a significant threat to health and development. An estimated 70% of the population lives in areas at risk of infection, with approximately 6 million cases and 4,000 deaths reported annually. The disease disproportionately affects children under five and pregnant women, who account for the majority of malaria-related illness and mortality.
Transmission is highest in the Lake Victoria basin, coastal counties, and parts of Western and Rift Valley regions, where parasite prevalence reaches up to 27%. Despite notable progress in scaling up prevention and treatment, malaria still accounts for 13–15% of outpatient consultations across health facilities in Kenya, straining already burdened health systems.
Persistent challenges continue to hinder progress toward elimination. These include unequal access to preventive tools such as insecticide-treated nets, emerging insecticide and drug resistance, climate variability that increases mosquito breeding and transmission, and weak surveillance systems in remote and cross-border areas. Socio-economic factors—such as poverty, inadequate housing, and limited health literacy—further sustain transmission in vulnerable communities.
These factors underscore the need for sustained investment, innovation, and community-driven approaches to strengthen prevention, ensure equitable access to care, and build resilience in the fight against malaria as Kenya advances toward a malaria-free future.
Empowered communities now serve as the first line of defence against malaria. Over 22,000 trained Community Health Promoters (CHPs) across 2,293 functional Community Health Units (CHUs) diagnose and treat malaria at the household level using rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs). This localised approach ensures early case detection, timely treatment, and effective referrals — reducing health facility congestion and preventing severe disease and deaths.
Maternal and newborn survival is improving through strengthened malaria-in-pregnancy interventions. Pregnant women are reached with intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) and encouraged to attend antenatal care (ANC) visits through community-facility linkages and mentor mother support groups. These efforts have increased skilled deliveries, reduced malaria-related complications, and improved pregnancy outcomes for adolescent and adult mothers alike.
Sustained behaviour change is increasing the adoption of malaria prevention and treatment services. By using human-centred design, health dialogues, action days, and SMS campaigns, communities are consistently adopting insecticide-treated nets, managing the environment, and seeking early care. Youth-led advocacy through Y-ACT and targeted messaging for vulnerable groups is boosting demand and accountability for equitable malaria services.
Schools have become hubs for malaria prevention and education. Through 320 active school health clubs across endemic counties, learners lead community awareness campaigns, promote the use of ITNs, and champion clean environments. These school-based initiatives nurture lifelong health practices and embed malaria education into everyday learning.
Health systems are being strengthened to sustain malaria gains. Key milestones include the development of national CCMm guidelines, biosafety frameworks, and digital tools such as the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) for real-time reporting. Digitised training platforms, including JIBU, and integration of malaria data into KHIS, are improving efficiency, accountability, and decision-making across all levels of care.
Evidence generation informs policy and practice. Ongoing operational research, documentation of best practices, and capacity building for over 24 community-based organisations are strengthening local ownership and learning. Through national dissemination platforms and peer-reviewed publications, lessons are shared to accelerate innovation, including updates on the malaria vaccine rollout and digital analytics for program improvement.
Access to malaria diagnosis and treatment has broadened by including 1,250 private retail pharmacies across 12 counties. Pharmacists can now deliver standardised malaria testing, treatment, and reporting via digital platforms like M-Jali, increasing the availability of quality malaria services beyond public health facilities.
Inclusive malaria services are reaching those most at risk. Guided by the Malaria Matchbox Assessment, targeted interventions address access barriers among migrants, fishing communities, people with disabilities, prisoners, and street families. Gender-responsive programming and disaggregated data reporting ensure that malaria elimination efforts leave no one behind.
National malaria prevalence among children reduced from 11% (2010) to 6% (2020).
Amref’s Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Malaria? Local Heroes Called Community Health Promoters.
