Kenyans should brace themselves for an upsurge of malaria cases as the anticipated El-Nino rains kick in countrywide, a health ministry official has said.

Medical Services ministry Permanent Secretary James Kiyiapi Tuesday said most of the cases are likely to occur among children aged five years and below.

With the rains, the inevitable stagnant pools of water will provide breeding sites for mosquitoes that transmit the killer disease.

Malaria is the leading cause of illness and death in Kenya, mostly affecting the rural poor, especially young children and pregnant women. Currently, the disease kills 90 children aged five years and below every day, which translates to 34,000 children yearly.

It also accounts for 30 per cent of out-patient attendance and 19 per cent of admissions to health facilities.

Prof Kiyiapi said the government has prioritised malaria as one of the diseases to control and has developed a national malaria strategy to combat the disease.

The PS was speaking when he received a donation of artemisinin combination therapy antimalarial drugs worth Ksh60 million from the Chinese ambassador Deng Hongbo during a ceremony held at Afya House in Nairobi.

At the same time, Prof Kiyiapi said the Chinese government was also assisting his ministry in the development and commercialisation of traditional medicine and the war against counterfeits.

He also thanked China for its partnership with the government in the health sector. "I would also like to thank the Chinese Government for disbursing Ksh800 million towards the construction of the Nairobi East district hospital in Kayole estate.

"This will enable a majority of the poor people to access affordable healthcare services," the PS said. Meanwhile, a Bill which aims at regulating the training of herbalists and herbal products has been developed and forwarded to the Attorney General's office.

Once it is enacted, it will enable the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to weed out quacks selling fake products in a bid to protect the health of the people. Currently, a majority of the herbalists are not registered with some of them purporting to cure a myriad of diseases including Cancer and HIV and Aids.

Malaria is the leading cause of illness and death mostly affecting the rural poor,due to weak sanitation and unhealthy environment. This is due to water dam places in the residential area where the main cause of malaria grows. This should be cleaned with the cheapest major of the pesticides ie. Kerosene.

malaria what a killer,
i wish MALARIA could be wiped off in this world.