Kenya recorded 1,309 mpox cases and 19 deaths across 40 counties by Saturday, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has said.
The PS also said this year the country has recorded 469 measles cases and one death, while one circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 case has been reported in Dadaab, Garissa county.
“We remain on high alert for Ebola at points of entry and for water- and vector-borne diseases,” Muthoni said, stressing that the ministry is prioritising county preparedness, immunisation, community engagement, and protection of health workers.
She called for coordinated action to advance preparations for the Kenya Public Health International Conference 2026 (Kephic), strengthen disease outbreak control and enhance preparedness for anticipated El Niño-related health risks.
Speaking during the weekly management meeting, the PS, on preparations for Kephic 2026, scheduled for October 27–29, maintained that the ministry continues to prepare for the conference, with registration now open at kephic.publichealth.go.ke.
“Our weekly management meeting reviewed preparations for the conference, alongside measures to strengthen disease outbreak control and readiness for the anticipated El Niño-related health risks,” Muthoni said.
She urged semi autonomous government agencies, directorates and divisions to take ownership of the conference, with emphasis on prevention, primary health care, health security and climate resilience.
PS announced that the Ministry is also strengthening surveillance and response to current public health threats.
The conference, which will be held under the theme: ‘Delivering universal health coverage through resilient, equitable and quality health systems’, will provide a platform for public health professionals, researchers, policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders.
This is meant to share knowledge, discuss emerging public health priorities, showcase innovations, and strengthen collaboration towards resilient, equitable and quality health systems.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has activated preparedness measures at national and county levels, ahead of the anticipated 2026 El Niño rains.
This includes issuing a health advisory to all 47 counties, even as the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts a 99 per cent probability of above-normal rainfall between October and December 2026, with the rains expected to continue into February 2027.
The advisory, guided by the Health Sector El Niño Contingency Plan, calls on county governments, partners and members of the public to take early action to protect lives and health.
According to the PS Muthoni, the country should be concerned since heavy rainfall and flooding can contaminate water sources and increase mosquito breeding, raising the risk of cholera, typhoid and other diarrhoeal diseases, as well as malaria, dengue fever and Rift Valley Fever.
Additionally, the PS pointed out that flooding can also cause injuries and drowning, damage health facilities and disrupt access to essential healthcare.
“It may affect food supplies and increase the risk of malnutrition, particularly among children, while warmer conditions can lead to dehydration and other heat-related illnesses,” Muriuki highlighted in a press statement.
Further, she said the warnings are grounded in recent experience, noting that during the September 2023 to February 2024 El Niño period, 43 of Kenya’s 47 counties were affected.
“The country recorded 175 deaths, 40 missing people and 242 injuries, while 384,216 people were displaced into 170 camps,” revealed the PS, adding that of the 1,434 health facilities assessed across 11 counties, 64 became inaccessible, and increased cases of cholera, Rift Valley fever and malaria were reported.
As a result, every county, according to the PS, is expected to maintain basic preparedness, with those facing higher risks of flooding, landslides, disease outbreaks, injuries or malnutrition required to strengthen readiness without delay.
