Author: Charity Kilei

WHO-backed report confirms cholera still active in parts of Kenya amid nationwide response Jul 17, 2025

Turkana County remains one of the worst-affected, with 122 cases reported in Turkana West Sub-County, mostly within the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee s...

Mpox spreads to 20 counties in Kenya, alarming increase in cases reported Jul 17, 2025

Since the start of the outbreak, 763 samples have been tested, with 240 testing positive, yielding a positivity rate of thirty-one point five percent.

WHO approves injectable lenacapavir in major shift on HIV prevention Jul 14, 2025

Lenacapavir is the first long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug that requires administration only twice a year. It offers a highly effective and c...

Vaccine hesitancy: Inside Kenya’s push against measles, rubella and typhoid Jul 14, 2025

Hidaya, a community health promoter based in Nairobi, acknowledges the concerns being raised, particularly regarding the rubella vaccine. She notes th...

‘They told them I was dead': A mother’s pain and the mental toll of family separation on children Jul 14, 2025

Children are often more affected by separation or divorce than the parents themselves. In her experience, many children may not have the words to expr...

Construction dust, delayed care and deadly myths: Pneumonia’s silent assault on Kenyan men Jul 14, 2025

Pneumonia risk factors common among men include smoking, alcohol use, chronic illnesses like diabetes, and a tendency to delay seeking medical care.

Chikungunya and dengue cases surge as Aedes mosquitoes spread in Kenya Jul 13, 2025

Unlike many other mosquitoes, Aedes mosquitoes are active during the daytime, and they are especially adapted to live in urban and semi-urban environm...

Shut but still open: Spot check reveals Nairobi clinics still operating after official closure Jul 13, 2025

In a major crackdown in December 2024, authorities inspected 466 health facilities in Nairobi, shutting down 117 clinics and arresting 15 individuals...

15.6 million children vaccinated against measles-rubella and typhoid Jul 12, 2025

Over 4,000 “zero-dose” children—those who had never previously been vaccinated—have now received both MR and TCV vaccines.

Burundi becomes Africa’s 8th country to eradicate trachoma Jul 12, 2025

Trachoma primarily affects the poorest and most underserved populations, particularly in rural areas with limited access to clean water, sanitation, a...

Sleeping with the lights on? Research links nighttime light exposure to heart disease, stroke Jul 12, 2025

Even moderate exposure—within the 70th to 90th percentile—was linked to a 16 per cent increased risk of death, signaling that this is not just a conce...

Why taxing sugar, alcohol won’t solve Kenya’s consumption crisis - here’s what must change Jul 08, 2025

WHO recommends that the retail price of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks be increased by at least 50 per cent over the next decade through targeted...

Kenya Medical Association condemns obstruction of healthcare workers during protests, calls for action Jul 07, 2025

KMA Secretary General Dr Diana Marion expressed concern over what the association describes as a disturbing trend of interference with healthcare serv...

Why camel milk is gaining ground and why experts urge safer consumption Jul 07, 2025

When properly refrigerated, pasteurised milk remained safe for consumption for several weeks, highlighting the importance of pasteurisation and cold s...

Measles and rubella rebound amid dropping vaccination rates Jul 06, 2025

Between 2010 and 2019, measles vaccination rates declined in 100 of the 204 countries studied. Notably, 21 out of 36 high-income countries experienced...

Kenyans concerned over SHA premiums, confusion on dependents, and unclear Lipa Pole Pole model Jul 06, 2025

Contributions to the SHA are made through payroll deductions for formally employed individuals, direct payments from those in the informal sector, and...

From NHIF to SHA: Kenya’s struggle to overcome health insurance fraud, boost affordability Jun 30, 2025

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has unearthed internal fraud schemes involving ghost services and unauthorized system access.

Natural immunity vs vaccination: Why vaccines are the safer path to long-term protection Jun 30, 2025

Vaccination is not only about protecting yourself; it's about protecting others who can’t defend themselves.

One in five Kenyan adolescents suffers childhood trauma, study reveals Jun 29, 2025

These experiences include various forms of abuse, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect and household dysfunction.

Silent struggles: Kenyan men speak out on financial pressure, mental health, and masculinity Jun 29, 2025

In addition to stigma, practical obstacles such as limited access to affordable and male-friendly mental health services further restrict men’s abilit...

Mpox continues to spread in Africa, with 18 countries reporting active transmission Jun 28, 2025

The majority of cases have been reported in Busia (48 cases) and Mombasa (37), followed by Nakuru (16) and Makueni (10). Smaller clusters emerged in N...

Lancet warns of rising disease outbreaks as global childhood vaccination rates decline Jun 26, 2025

Despite decades of success that have saved over 154 million children’s lives, recent years have seen growing gaps in vaccine coverage.

SHIF's 2.75 per cent deduction remains in effect, Duale says, despite Judge Mwita labelling it illegal Jun 23, 2025

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale clarified that the Ministry respects the court process but emphasised that it did not invalidate the deductions.

Sickle cell survivor Polycarp Wafula defies odds at 42 Jun 22, 2025

Each year, approximately 14,000 children are born with sickle cell disease in Kenya in high-burden areas, and between 2 and 4 out of every 100 newborn...

Kamukunji's quiet triumph: How community effort revitalised a historic Nairobi space Jun 22, 2025

For now, though, Kamukunji Grounds stands as a quiet triumph—a model of what happens when a community decides to reclaim and reshape its own spaces.

‘We were told not to cry’: The untold mental health crisis facing Kenya’s men Jun 22, 2025

Like many others in his situation, Erick Mwari turned to substances to cope, numbing emotional pain with harmful distractions.

Nairobi teen faces childbirth alone after being denied care for lacking ID, SHA Jun 22, 2025

In a tiny room in Muthurwa, Nairobi, Auma prepares for motherhood alone—without baby clothes, a hospital bag, or any family support.

Displaced and vulnerable: The growing humanitarian crisis facing children in IGAD region Jun 16, 2025

According to IGAD, 25 per cent of all migrants in Africa are children, and the majority of these children come from the East African region.

Left to suffer: A woman’s unrelenting battle with cancer, stigma Jun 15, 2025

Her battle began in 2015 when she was diagnosed with Stage 3B breast cancer. At the time, she was a working mother and wife, trying to balance her car...

From misdiagnosis to mission: Breast cancer survivor turns pain into purpose with hand-knit prostheses Jun 15, 2025

Mary Mwangi has transformed profound pain into purpose, offering hope to women facing cancer, stigma, and loss, while restoring dignity and rebuilding...

Health budget falling short of Abuja Declaration and impact, UHC Healthcare Jun 14, 2025

Community health promoters (CHPs) have also been dealt a major blow after their budget was slashed by Sh1.4 billion.

Undocumented status, ID barriers hamper vaccine access for vulnerable mothers, children in Kenya Jun 13, 2025

Unvaccinated children are left exposed to preventable but potentially deadly diseases like polio, measles, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B.

Primary healthcare gets major boost as Treasury triples funding to Sh13.1 billion Jun 12, 2025

This increase marks a threefold allocation to the fund, which has historically been severely underfunded.

Kenya boosts medical interns' support with Sh4.3bn allocation in 2025/26 health budget Jun 12, 2025

The total health budget has increased to Sh138 billion for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, up from Sh123 billion—a reversal of three consecutive years of b...

Major blow for community health promoters as budget slashed by Sh1.4 billion Jun 12, 2025

In the last financial year, CHPs were already grappling with financial constraints, which remain a key challenge in Kenya’s public healthcare system.

Health sector budget rises to Sh138.1 billion in 2025/26 to boost affordable care Jun 12, 2025

The funds have been distributed across key areas as follows: Sh42.4 billion has been set aside for referral hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hos...

SHA under fire: Kenyans decry annual payments, link to Hustler Fund raises alarm Jun 11, 2025

Data from the State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) released in September shows more than 50 per cent of Hustler Fund borr...

Anti-inflammatory diet cuts death risk in stage 3 colon cancer by 63pc, new study finds Jun 08, 2025

The study, conducted by researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, also found that patients who engaged in regular moderate physical activity, s...

Working through pain: The overlooked health crisis among Kenya’s informal labourers Jun 07, 2025

In a world where survival depends on showing up, even blood and pain don’t qualify as reasons not to report to work.

Clean hands, safe bites: Why everyday food habits matter more than you think Jun 07, 2025

Beyond immediate health risks, unsafe food also accelerates the dangerous rise of antimicrobial resistance, making once-treatable infections harder an...

12 counties run out of vaccines, Ministry of Health confirms Jun 06, 2025

The Ministry has announced that 3.2 million doses of the polio vaccine are currently being cleared at the port, with nationwide distribution set for J...

Eastleigh residents find unity, joy in Eid-ul-Adha celebrations amidst harsh economic times Jun 06, 2025

For Hassan, who has been selling goats for over a decade, Eid-ul-Adha isn’t just a religious celebration — it’s the most important time of the year fo...

How high costs, confusion are hindering workers in informal sector from enrolling on SHA Jun 02, 2025

Under the Social Health Authority (SHA), registering dependents is essential to ensure they receive health coverage alongside the primary member. Elig...

Mother’s struggle mirrors Kenya’s youth nicotine crisis amid flavoured product surge Jun 02, 2025

The World Health Organisation warns that tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death globally and a major contributor to noncommunicabl...

From crime to service: How 'most feared' Pangani youth transformed their lives Jun 01, 2025

These young men were trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction and crime. The community was afraid of them. Law enforcement pursued them. They were sham...

Cost of neglect: How poor sanitation is fueling cholera risk in informal settlements Jun 01, 2025

In numerous informal settlements, calls for better services, such as effective rubbish collection and proper drainage, have gone unanswered. As a resu...

Beyond the bullet wound: Soldier’s descent into depression and family’s unfinished grief Jun 01, 2025

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a prevalent mental health condition and a significant public health concern, often arising from exposure to life-thr...

Kenya launches panel to review health benefit tariffs, promote equity and cost-effective care May 26, 2025

The committee will conduct thorough reviews, analyse Kenya’s disease burden, and provide expert recommendations to inform policy decisions grounded in...

One year after deadly floods in Kitui village, survivors still await government resettlement May 25, 2025

Titus Wesonga, a survivor of the 2024 floods, continues to live in his home on riparian land. His house, like many others in the area, was severely da...

Silent agony: Lack of awareness and stigma delay inflammatory bowel disease care in Kenya May 25, 2025

Without timely intervention and proper nutritional support, many individuals continue to suffer in silence, unaware that early dietary and medical man...

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