The government has attributed the mysterious illness affecting residents of South Mugirango in Kisii County to water contamination.
According to Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, the illness, which was first reported last month, originated from a contaminated community well.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 4, Muthoni confirmed that tests had revealed the presence of faecal matter in the water, which is believed to have triggered the outbreak.
In response, the Ministry of Health dispatched a team of experts to the affected villages to assist in investigations and provide medical support. The World Health Organization (WHO) also joined the probe on Monday.
Health officials visited the well supplying the affected communities and collected water samples, which were sent to the government chemist for further analysis.
So far, more than 200 people from villages such as Nyabigege, Nyamarondo, and Nyarigiro have fallen ill.
Patients are presenting symptoms including high fever, severe diarrhoea—sometimes with blood—persistent headaches, joint pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
The illness has persisted for about two weeks, leading to hospital admissions at various facilities, including Tabaka Mission Hospital, Nyatike Level Two Hospital, Prina Hospital, and Royal Hospital in Rongo.
Health officials have urged residents to boil drinking and cooking water as a precautionary measure.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with county authorities, has ramped up disease surveillance and screening to prevent further spread and determine any additional interventions needed to contain the outbreak.
