Kala-azar, a neglected tropical disease many Kenyans believed had disappeared, continues to silently afflict residents of Pokot and Baringo counties, with children bearing the greatest burden.
Health officials and community leaders have warned that the disease, transmitted through sandfly bites, remains widespread in pastoralist regions, despite limited public awareness and minimal national attention.
According to local leaders in the affected regions, children under the age of 15 were the most vulnerable, often suffering prolonged illness due to delayed diagnosis and the ailment’s lengthy treatment processes.
According to Chief James Lokachea, the disease had become deeply rooted within affected communities, disrupting livelihoods and education, particularly for young learners.
“When children contract kala-azar, they often stay sick for a long time, and because the disease’s symptoms are not easily detected, many miss school owing to the severe nature of the disease upon diagnosis,” Lokachea noted.
Currently, Kenya has only one specialized hospital equipped to treat kala-azar, the Kacheliba Level 4 Hospital in West Pokot, which further complicates access to care for patients from distant, remote regions.
Healthcare workers on the ground claimed that delayed treatment was a major contributor to severe complications associated with the disease.
Luke Kanyang’areng, a nurse who previously battled kala-azar as a teenager, urged communities to seek medical attention early.
“I suffered from kala-azar at the age of 14, got treated, and fully recovered. There is a cure. People should not waste time seeking treatment in villages because delays weaken the body and worsen the disease,” he said.
International health organizations also raised concerns over the continued spread of the disease, citing diagnostic and treatment challenges.
Linet Atieno, Head of Communications at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), stated that climate change is further complicating efforts to control kala-azar.
“Even when cases reduce, climate change worsens the situation because kala-azar is climate-sensitive. Diagnosis is still difficult, and treatment remains challenging,” Atieno explained.
Atieno added that DNDi and other partners had been working to develop improved tools and therapies, with the long-term goal of eliminating kala-azar as a public health threat.
Subsequently, stakeholders intensified community sensitization campaigns in affected pastoralist areas, hoping increased awareness and early treatment would prevent further suffering from the long-forgotten disease.
