Kiminini on High Alert as Health Department Moves Quickly to Contain Mpox Outbreak
With the support of the local community, health workers are working diligently to ensure the virus does not spread beyond the initial case.
Trans Nzoia Health Officers during MPox preparedness training on July 21, 2025. Photo/County Government of Trans Nzoia.
By Robert Assad
A confirmed case of Mpox has sent ripples through the quiet town of Kiminini, located in Trans Nzoia County. Health officials are taking immediate action to contain the outbreak, focusing on both the patient’s care and the prevention of further spread.
With the support of the local community, health workers are working diligently to ensure the virus does not spread beyond the initial case.
The case was confirmed after laboratory tests at the National Public Health Laboratory in Nairobi, revealing that a patient in Waitaluk Ward, Kiminini, had contracted the disease. The patient is currently receiving medical attention at a local facility, and the county’s health team is actively monitoring the situation. The public has been reassured that steps are being taken to ensure that the situation remains under control.
Sam Ojwang, the Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services and Sanitation in Trans Nzoia County, emphasized that the case was being effectively managed. “Our health team has been in Waitaluk Ward for the past two days conducting assessments and educating the community on how to manage Mpox cases,” he said during a press conference in Kitale, the county capital. The situation remains under control, but health officials are on high alert as more samples are being sent for testing to rule out other potential cases.
Mpox, a viral disease similar to smallpox, is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with infected skin, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash. As the number of confirmed cases rises across the country, the Kenyan government has been stepping up its efforts to contain the disease, which has already led to five deaths.
In response to the growing threat, the Trans Nzoia County Health Department had already initiated training for healthcare workers earlier in July. On July 21st, a two-day workshop was held to train 55 frontline health workers, including clinical officers and nurses, from all 25 wards of the county. This workshop, organized in collaboration with USAID AMPATH Uzima, aimed to equip local health workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond to the outbreak.
The training covered a range of crucial topics, including the clinical features of Mpox, rapid response protocols, detection and reporting procedures, and strategies for engaging with the community to prevent the spread of the disease. Robert Nyandika, the County Disease Surveillance Coordinator, noted that the goal was to ensure that health workers were not only ready for immediate action but could also pass their knowledge on to others. “We are building capacity for an integrated, long-term response to prevent further outbreaks,” Nyandika explained.
The county’s efforts to strengthen surveillance and response were essential, especially as more cases continue to surface across Kenya. By the time of this confirmed case, the country had already recorded 240 confirmed Mpox cases in 20 counties, with an alarming five fatalities. With the increasing prevalence of the disease, the health department’s rapid response and well-trained staff were seen as crucial to preventing further spread within Trans Nzoia.
Ojwang reassured the public that steps were being taken to contain the situation. “We’ve already implemented the necessary protocols to manage the case and prevent further transmission,” he explained. “We are working closely with national health authorities to ensure that every measure is in place.”
Despite these efforts, misinformation has been circulating, with misleading images shared on social media claiming to show the confirmed Mpox case. Ojwang took a firm stand against these false reports, urging the public to rely on accurate, verified information from health authorities. “The images circulating on social media are not from Trans Nzoia. We urge the public to avoid spreading unverified information,” he said. “This misinformation only contributes to unnecessary panic.”
The quick response by the county’s health team has been praised, with residents feeling more confident as the situation is monitored closely. Health workers in the area are also working on educating the community about the disease’s symptoms and prevention methods. Their role is vital in helping to curb the spread of Mpox, and the county’s proactive response shows the value of preparedness in tackling health crises.
This is not the first time that Trans Nzoia has had to face public health challenges, but the collaboration between health workers, government officials, and the community remains crucial in overcoming the outbreak. The county’s early training efforts have laid the groundwork for an effective response to the current situation.
While the Mpox outbreak is a cause for concern, the health department’s quick action, community engagement, and transparent communication are helping to ensure that the situation is contained. By empowering residents with the knowledge to protect themselves and relying on verified information, Trans Nzoia stands strong in its efforts to prevent the disease from spreading further.
About Author
