Kenya Eliminates Sleeping Sickness as a Public Health Threat, WHO Confirms

Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya has achieved a historic public health victory: the World Health Organization (WHO) has validated the country as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT)—commonly known as sleeping sickness—as a public health problem. This milestone was announced on August 8, 2025, and positions Kenya as the tenth country globally, and second in Africa, to reach this feat. ([turn0search0], [turn0search11])

What WHO and Kenyan Health Officials Say

• During the validation announcement, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus extended congratulations to the people and government of Kenya, underscoring the nation’s contribution to eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

• Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr Aden Duale, hailed the achievement as a monumental step toward public health protection and economic prosperity. 

• WHO Representative in Kenya, Dr Adiele Onyeze, emphasized continued need for post-validation vigilance, urging sustained surveillance and vector control to guard against potential resurgence. 

How Kenya Achieved This Milestone

• The Ministry of Health, alongside partners, deployed a multi-pronged strategy: active surveillance, vector (tsetse fly) control, community education, and early treatment in high-risk counties such as Busia, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori, and Narok.

• Since no indigenous cases have been reported since 2009, Kenya’s sustained effort over years has made elimination feasible.

What Elimination Means—and What It Doesn’t

• Achieving “elimination as a public health problem” means Kenya has effectively reduced HAT to levels no longer posing a community-wide threat.

• However, the disease isn’t eradicated—tsetse flies still exist, and there’s a risk of re-emergence, especially in border areas. Continued surveillance, early detection, and vector control remain essential.

Kenya’s Place Among Global Success Stories

• Kenya joins other African nations—Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo, and Uganda—in having eliminated HAT as a public health concern. 

• Notably, Kenya had previously eliminated another NTD: Guinea worm disease in 2018

Why This Matters

• The achievement frees up health sector resources previously directed at HAT control and treatment, allowing refocus on other pressing health priorities.

• This success highlights the power of sustained public–private partnerships, robust community engagement, and the value of resilient health systems.

• It reinforces Kenya’s role in regional NTD elimination efforts and positions it as a model for other endemic countries.

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