The County Government of Kajiado has issued an alert following a confirmed cholera outbreak in the neighbouring Narok County. The Department of Medical Services and Public Health has directed all health facilities, sub-counties and partners to heighten preparedness and surveillance to prevent possible spread into Kajiado.
According to a circular dated October 6, 2025, the Kajiado County Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) has been placed on alert mode to enhance early detection, preparedness and response efforts. The directive focuses on rapid containment measures that prioritize surveillance, treatment readiness, and sanitation improvement.
Under the enhanced surveillance plan, health officers have been instructed to intensify active case searches for any patients showing signs of acute watery diarrhoea both at community and facility levels. All suspected cases are to be reported immediately through the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and the District Health Information System (DHIS2).
The County has also ordered a review of all case management resources, ensuring that Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), intravenous fluids and rapid diagnostic kits are available in all health facilities. Medical teams have been advised to set up or designate isolation areas for suspected cholera patients.
In addition, the County is strengthening Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) measures to reduce the risk of contamination. Public health officers are conducting water quality monitoring and chlorination of communal water sources. Hygiene promotion campaigns are being intensified, especially among high-risk groups such as food handlers and border communities.
Coordination efforts have been heightened, with all Sub-County Public Health Officers directed to activate local emergency response teams and provide daily situation updates to the County Emergency Operations Centre. The County has also emphasized multi-sectorial collaboration among partners, administrators, and WASH stakeholders to ensure a united response.
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County Director of Public Health, Samson Saigilu, urged all residents to remain vigilant and adhere to hygiene practices to safeguard against possible transmission. He called for prompt reporting of any suspected cholera symptoms for timely medical intervention.
Kajiado County maintains that it will continue monitoring the situation closely in coordination with health authorities in Narok and national health agencies. The alert comes amid regional concerns over rising cases of waterborne diseases linked to poor sanitation and contaminated water sources.
Public health officials are advising residents to boil or chlorinate drinking water, wash hands with soap after using the toilet and seek immediate treatment if they experience symptoms such as severe diarrhoea or vomiting.
The County Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a rapid response to any suspected cholera cases to protect residents and prevent further spread.
By Benedict Aoya
