Snakebite is the leading Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs) in Kitui with a total of 1,939 cases reported by victims who sought treatment at health facilities across the vast county in the past three years – from 2020 to 2024.

However, the incidence of snakebites could be higher than the hospital data owing to the fact that some victims do not seek medical attention at public health facilities, but opt for private health facilities, while others go for alternative methods of treatment rather than seeking medical services from the public health facilities.

According to medical records at Kitui County Level Four Hospital, the snakebite envenoming is prevalent primarily in Kitui South, Mwingi North, Mwingi Central and Kitui East constituencies.

Kala-azar is the second most endemic Neglected Tropical Disease in the county and is mainly prevalent in Mwingi North and Mwingi Central sub-counties. About 274 cases have been successfully treated and recovered between 2022 and 2024.

“Intestinal worms still pose a major challenge to children across all the sub-counties, but it is highest in Kitui West and Mwingi Central. Trachoma, also remains a challenge in several sub-counties,” the medical report adds.

The Kitui County NTDs report calls for sustained effort to create awareness and combat the NTDs, which affect millions of Kenyans and especially in impoverished communities.

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, while speaking last week when he led the county residents in marking this year’s World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to eliminating all NTDs cases.

“My administration has procured anti-snake venom, trained health workers and supports regular mass deworming exercises at village level. Additionally, we have installed laboratory equipment for Kala-Azar testing at both Mwingi and Tseikuru hospitals, where the disease is prevalent,” the governor said as he highlighted some of the key intervention measures taken by his government to combat the NTDs menace.

Malombe further noted that Kitui County administration has initiated development projects to help the fight against NTDs. The projects include drilling over 100 boreholes and rehabilitation of dams across the county to improve sanitation and reduce NTDs prevalence.

With respect to trachoma elimination, he said, the county had made major strides by reducing the cases to 15 between 2022 and 2024, with the support of the national ministry of health.

During the ceremony held at Kitui town stadium in Kitui town, the county leadership expressed gratitude to partners in the health sector including WHO, AMREF, END Fund, Evidence Action and the Clinton Health Access Initiative for their contributions to the fight against NTDs.

Crucial in the fight also, the county boss appreciated all the county Community Health Promoters (CHPs) for their role in raising awareness and delivering essential healthcare services especially in eradicating the NTDs at the grassroots level.

As the fight against NTDs continues, Kitui County government has pledged to strengthen its healthcare systems, increase public awareness and ensure that no one is left behind in the quest for a healthier, disease-free future.

To demonstrate commitment on global eradication of NTDs, global health crusaders were on display with this year’s theme to mark the NTDs day dubbed “Unite for Health, Act with Purpose, Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases for Good.” This aligns with global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets 3.3 and 3.8, which focus on ending epidemics and ensuring universal health coverage.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for increased domestic funding, community engagement and policy interventions to accelerate the fight against these diseases.

Nationally, over 30 million Kenyans suffer from NTDs, with diseases such as bilharzia, jiggers, elephantiasis and leprosy still affecting vulnerable populations. The ministry of health alongside many other development partners, has continued to roll out interventions to control and eliminate these diseases.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Denson Mututo and Dennis Mutuku