Mwea residents raise alarm over malaria threat over surge in mosquitoes

Locals say the surge is unusual and more severe than in previous rainy seasons.

“We have never seen mosquitoes like this. They are very many this time,” one resident said.

Peter Wainaina, John Munene, and Michael Kamau, who spoke while at a local hotel, said they had been informed that the mosquitoes are not more harmful than before, based on recent research. However, they noted that fears of malaria remain high.

The spike in mosquito numbers has raised concerns about a potential malaria outbreak. According to the World Health Organization’s 2025 malaria report, Kenya recorded 4.2 million malaria cases and 11,000 deaths, with children under five accounting for the majority of fatalities.

The WHO maintains that malaria remains one of the most preventable diseases.

During World Malaria Day commemorations in Kirinyaga on April 25, 2025, the Ministry of Health reported a decline in national malaria prevalence from 8 percent to 6 percent.

Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni identified Mwea, known for rice farming, and Gichugu, where Thiba Dam is located, as malaria hotspots within the county. Nationally, the highest burden remains in the Western, Nyanza, and Coastal regions.

Despite the reported national decline, Mwea residents are calling on the government to step up interventions, including mosquito spraying and the distribution of insecticide-treated nets, to prevent a potential rise in malaria cases.