Narok County has posted a decrease in trachoma prevalence from 30 per cent recorded in 2011 to 10 per cent in 2023, according to a survey carried out by the County Government in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Speaking during a Health stakeholders’ meeting held in a Narok hotel today, the County Director of Public Health, Edward Ole Tankoi, said Narok is among the 12 identified endemic counties with a high trachoma prevalence in Kenya.
Tankoi added that although the county has experienced a decrease in the prevalence of trachoma, it is still among the counties that are considered to be at higher risk.
He said the decrease has been contributed to by the successful public sensitization about the disease and the many medical camps held to treat the disease.
“The most affected sub-counties in 2011 were Trans Mara West, Trans Mara East, and Narok East Sub-counties; however, the disease has dropped after interventions in these areas,” he said.
Nevertheless, Tankoi said that despite the general drop, Narok West Subcounty recorded a prevalence of 11.5 per cent in 2023, which is above the county average of 10 per cent.
“We will be carrying out a mass drug administration (MDA) in Narok West Sub County in order to counter the disease,” he added.
The Director observed that the high prevalence of Trachoma in Narok West Sub County was as a result of low toilet coverage, adding that many families in the Sub County do not have a pit latrine.
County Eye Care Coordinator Mr. Rostan Lekuye said they will concentrate in Naikarra and Siana wards that are heavily affected by trachoma.
“The main cause of Trachoma is open defecation. The flies that carry the bacteria from the human waste get into contact with human eyes, hence causing the disease,” he explained.
Lekuye added that the objective of this year’s MDA is to reduce the prevalence of trachoma to below 5 per cent, which has been achieved in all other sub-counties except Narok West and Narok South.
He added, “Narok West sub-county requires more intervention this year. Our ultimate goal is to eradicate trachoma to below 1 percent prevalence.”
The MDA will be held in Siana and Naikarra wards beginning from January 15 to January 19 this year.
By Ann Salaton and Amos Maine
