The Indoor Residual Spraying Campaign for Malaria commenced in the Omuthiya District.

Omuthiya District Hospital Environmental Health Practitioner Victoria Gideon is urging the public to allow the spray operators to access their homes.

"My appeal to the public is that malaria prevention is a shared responsibility. Therefore, I urge all the residents in the targeted villages of Omuthiya District to open their homes and accept the spray and cooperate with our spray personnel when they arrive so that the spraying can be carried out effectively," said Gideon. She added that "By allowing our team to spray your homes, you are helping to protect yourself, your family, and your community."

Spray Operator Maria Nangaku shared that the process not only targets mosquito breeding grounds but also significantly reduces the risk of malaria transmission in the area. "I feel proud to be among those shortlisted and thankful that the government considered us, the unemployed youth, who were home without jobs. We have learned a lot from the training, including how to prevent transmission. We are also trained on how to approach different types of people in the community," she explained, emphasising the importance of community involvement in health initiatives.

The community is further encouraged to persist in using mosquito nets, maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings, eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites, and seeking medical care to prevent malaria.

122 deaths were recorded nationally.