Hundreds of Kiambu residents turned up at ACK St. John’s Mwimuto in Kabete Sub-County onMonday to receive free medical services as part of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2025.
The event, organised by the Kiambu County Department of Health, focused on TB screening and awareness while also offering additional medical services, including blood pressure and blood sugar tests, nutrition assessments, HIV/AIDS testing, and eye screenings.
Speaking at the event, Kiambu County Health Executive Dr. Peter Muriithi emphasised the importance of early TB diagnosis and community awareness in reducing infections.
“TB remains one of the leading infectious disease killers in Kenya, yet many cases go undiagnosed. We must eliminate stigma and encourage early testing to stop the spread,” he said.
For Esther Wanjiru, a 42-year-old fruit vendor, the event provided a much-needed opportunity to get tested.
“I had a persistent cough for months, but I thought it was just a cold,” she said. “I never imagined it could be TB,” she said.
Health workers conducted chest X-rays and sputum tests on several residents with similar symptoms, aiming for early detection and immediate treatment.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global TB Report 2023, TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, with 10.6 million people falling ill in 2022 and 1.3 million deaths recorded globally.
Kenya is among the 30 high-burden TB countries, with an estimated 133,000 new cases annually, according to the Ministry of Health’s National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Lung Disease Programme (NTLD-P).
In addition to TB screening, the event provided free voluntary HIV testing and counselling, as well as eye check-ups for elderly residents.
For Grace Wangari, a 68-year-old grandmother, the eye screening proved life-changing.
“My eyesight had been worsening, but I couldn’t afford a check-up. Today, I got free glasses and eye drops—this has changed my life,” said a jubilant Wangari.
Health officials at the event warned that TB stigma remains a major challenge, preventing many people from seeking medical attention early.
“Many patients fear being shunned by their families and communities. We must continue educating the public that TB is treatable and that timely medical intervention can save lives,” said Dr. Muriithi.
Drug-resistant TB cases in Kenya have risen by 17% in the past five years, according to the WHO, making early diagnosis and treatment adherence critical. The country has, however, made progress, achieving an 85% TB treatment success rate.
While TB was the primary focus, the event also addressed other growing health concerns.
According to the Kenya Stepwise Survey for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2022, one in four Kenyan adults has high blood pressure, with many unaware of their condition. Additionally, an estimated 1.2 million Kenyans are living with undiagnosed diabetes.
Health workers took advantage of the event to screen for these conditions and offer nutrition advice to prevent complications.
As the event concluded, residents were urged to spread awareness about TB and other health concerns, ensuring early diagnosis and timely medical intervention.
For Esther Wanjiru, the event meant a chance to seek treatment for her persistent cough.
For Grace Wangari, it was the day she regained her eyesight with the use of eyeglasses.
With continued outreach programmes and community support, Kiambu County is making strides in fighting TB and improving healthcare access for all residents.
By Joyrita Nyambura
