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The frequent cholera outbreaks experienced in certain parts of Kenya will cease over the next one month according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Speaking at a meeting on “˜Tackling the Frequent Outbreaks in Kenya’ in Nairobi on Tuesday, Dr Ian Njeru, Head of the Division of Disease Surveillance and Response, MoH, noted that currently, Kenya has nearly 5,000 cases of cholera and 98 deaths reported since the outbreak last year.

The meeting which was organised by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) and the MoH, discussed urgent actions that should be addressed to tackle water and sanitation challenges in Kenya.

According to MoH, 16 counties have been affected by the cholera outbreak since December 16, 2014. They include Nairobi, Migori, Homa Bay, Bomet, Mombasa, Nakuru, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Baringo, Kiambu, Embu, Machakos, Narok, Kilifi, Trans Nzoia and Turkana counties. However, of the affected counties, only 11 have active outbreaks.

As of June 29, 2015, a total of 4,938 cases and 97 deaths had been reported nationally and distributed as follows: Nairobi 1090 cases, 24 deaths; Migori 915 cases, 12 deaths; Homa Bay (1st wave) 377 cases, 5 deaths; Homa Bay (2nd wave) 111, 1 deaths.

Others are Bomet 272 cases, 2 deaths; Mombasa 226 cases, 10 deaths; Muranga 633 cases, 5 deaths; Nakuru 281 cases, 17 deaths; Baringo 58 cases, 1 death; Kirinyaga 417 cases, 2 deaths; Kiambu 136 cases ,7 deaths; Embu 201 cases, 2 deaths; Machakos 80 cases, 5 deaths; Narok 20 cases, 0 deaths; Kilifi 54 cases, 1 deaths and Turkana 46 cases, 0 deaths.

However, over the last one week, 64 new cases were reported in Nakuru (3), Nairobi (19) Muranga (3), Mombasa (10), Embu (1), Machakos (2), Narok (2), Kilifi (6), Trans Nzoia (10), Kiambu (2) and Turkana (6).

Disease a challenge to low-income urban dwellers

At the meeting, it was noted that cholera was affecting more urban dwellers, especially those living in slums, compared to their rural counterparts partly due to infrastructure challenges.

For instance, in Nairobi County, it was largely agreed that the frequent bursting of sewer lines, which is currently operating on full capacity might have played a key role in the cholera outbreak.

“We need to address the sewage challenges and also identify vulnerable spots that can easily spread cholera,” said Prof Mohamed Karama, a researcher with KEMRI.

“Between 200″“300 slum dwellers share one latrine. This has been a challenge especially during the rainy seasons as human wastes flood their residence,” said Raphael Muli, Nairobi Chief County Public Officer.

Experts at the meeting called for long-term efforts aimed at eliminating cholera outbreaks in the country as opposed to the current reactive efforts that are put in place whenever there are outbreaks. Experts called for committed government investments in tackling eater and sanitation challenges both at the national and county levels.