Kenya has achieved a landmark public health victory by eliminating Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a significant threat to its population. The World Health Organization (WHO) formally validated the milestone on June 16, 2025, marking the culmination of decades of targeted efforts to curb the deadly disease. At a national ceremony in Nairobi on August 8, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale accepted the WHO elimination certificate, hailing the achievement as a testament to Kenya’s sustained collaboration and innovation in healthcare.
The disease, transmitted by infected tsetse flies, once posed a severe risk to rural communities near wildlife reserves like the Masai Mara, where populations dependent on agriculture and livestock were disproportionately affected. Caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, sleeping sickness attacks the central nervous system and can prove fatal within weeks if untreated. Kenya’s last locally transmitted case was reported in 2009, with the final imported case traced to 2012. Since then, robust surveillance systems, expanded diagnostic access, and aggressive tsetse fly control have prevented resurgence.
“This milestone is not an endpoint but a launchpad for stronger health systems,” Duale said during the ceremony. He emphasized the role of frontline health workers, community engagement, and strategic investments in achieving progress. Kenya now joins nine other nations—and becomes the fifth in Sub-Saharan Africa—to eliminate HAT as a public health concern. The declaration, themed One Health, One Fight – A Sleeping Sickness-Free Kenya, reflects a multisectoral approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health strategies.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, cautioned against complacency, noting that continued vigilance is critical. “Surveillance and community awareness must remain priorities to prevent reintroduction,” he said. Over the past decade, Kenya established 12 specialized health facilities in high-risk counties and strengthened partnerships with global organizations like FIND and AMREF Health Africa. These groups supported rural healthcare capacity and disease monitoring, particularly in remote areas.
Professor Richard Ndungu of FIND highlighted Kenya’s success as a model for tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which often afflict marginalized communities. “Partnerships and equitable resource allocation are key to overcoming such challenges,” he said. Dr. Ndirangu Wanjuki of AMREF added that the achievement underscores the potential for collaboration to reduce health disparities.
Looking ahead, Kenya plans a five-year surveillance initiative, sustained tsetse control measures, and ongoing training for healthcare workers to detect early signs of resurgence. Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni linked the progress to Kenya’s broader Universal Health Coverage goals, stressing that the lessons learned will inform efforts to combat other diseases. The Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC) will continue overseeing vector control nationwide, ensuring the gains endure for future generations.
