This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
On August 27, 2019, a malaria outbreak in a remote area of Tiaty Constituency in Baringo County left six people dead, sparking concerns about the public health sector's ability to respond to emergencies.
Despite the country's investment in health centres and public hospitals, some facilities in the area are in disrepair, understaffed, and lacking essential medicines and equipment.
Remoteness should not be an excuse for preventable and curable disease-related deaths. The local county's health authorities must take responsibility for ensuring that existing facilities are functional.
While terrain difficulties make access to some settlements challenging, the county and national health authorities should mobilize resources to provide emergency care and long-term solutions to prevent infections.
As an African Inland Church missionary noted, almost every household in the area has a sick person, underscoring the need for immediate and sustained intervention.