“This validation marks a major public health milestone for Kenya… the achievement will not only protect our people but also pave the way for renewed economic growth and prosperity.”
— Dr Aden Duale, Cabinet Secretary for Health (World Health Organization)
A Century-Long Battle Comes To Fruition
Since the early 20th century, Kenya has grappled with sleeping sickness. The last locally transmitted case occurred in 2009, while the final two exported cases—traced to Masai Mara—were detected in 2012.
WHO Validation Confirms Historic Milestone
On August 8, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) validated that Kenya had eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem—making Kenya the tenth country to reach this milestone and the second disease eliminated after Guinea worm disease in 2018.
Intensified Surveillance: The Game-Changer
Kenya introduced robust surveillance measures in historically endemic regions, establishing 12 health facilities across six counties as sentinel sites. These centres were equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and staffed by trained personnel skilled in the most sensitive testing protocols for the Rhodesiense form of HAT.
Community Awareness And Outreach In The Frontline
Supported by global partners such as FIND, Kenya conducted community sensitisation campaigns, ensuring even those in remote areas understood symptoms and pathways to testing. Mapping of endemic regions, diagnostic upgrades, and health worker retraining were part of this concentrated effort.
“Eliminating neglected tropical diseases is even more critical at this point in history… this is an important milestone and reflects what is possible when leaders … deliver comprehensively on prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment.”
— Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, CEO of FIND (finddx.org)
A Network Of Partnerships Anchors Success
Multi-sector collaboration was crucial—national and county governments, the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC), research institutions, WHO, FIND, and pharmaceutical donors (Bayer, Sanofi) all played significant roles in strengthening access, surveillance, and treatment.
Protecting The Future: Post-Validation Strategy
With elimination certified, Kenya is moving into a phase of post-validation surveillance, aligning with WHO guidelines. This includes continued disease monitoring, maintaining medicine stocks for rapid response, and coordination to prevent resurgence or reintroduction.
“Kenya’s elimination of sleeping sickness … is a testament to what can be achieved through sustained public health action and innovative partnerships.”
— Prof Samuel Kariuki, DNDi (dndi.org)
