Busia County is intensifying its efforts to combat malaria, which has a prevalence rate six times higher than the national average and three times higher than other lake-endemic counties. The Busia County Government Department of Health and Sanitation has partnered with the End Malaria Council to implement several initiatives, including Larval Source Management (LSM), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and distribution of treated mosquito nets.

On March 18, 2025, Busia Deputy Governor Arthur Odera launched the 3rd Phase of Larval Source Management at Teso Central Sub-County. Odera emphasized that this initiative would complement other antimalarial efforts, particularly in light of the extreme levels of malaria infections experienced in 2023. "This is a great initiative in reducing the malaria prevalence burden in the county, and this will complement the indoor residual spraying initiative to reduce the malaria burden and infection in the county," he stated.

According to data from the Department of Health, malaria is responsible for 13% of deaths in Busia County, with a prevalence rate of 39%. Chief Officer for Public Health Susan Outa reported a noticeable drop in malaria prevalence due to multiple control interventions. The LSM program will cover 44 breeding sites both before and after rainfall, with Community Health Promoters involved in the campaign.

Dr. Willis Afwande, Secretary to End Malaria Council, noted the success of the previous phase, which treated approximately 17,000 hectares of breeding grounds, resulting in a 95% reduction in adult mosquito populations. County Malaria Control Coordinator Valerian Karani reported that about 40% of all outpatient visits in Busia Health facilities are due to malaria, with 2% of deaths attributed to severe cases. He also highlighted the recent IRS campaign, which achieved 101% coverage, protecting 76% of the population by treating 265,333 structures.

Karani mentioned that 117 healthcare worker trainers had been trained to pass on skills to spraying operators. He also addressed misinformation, dismissing claims that the chemicals used in the pesticide sterilize men and cause infertility in women as unfounded. He elaborated on the innovative approach of using biolarvicide administered by drones to reach inaccessible breeding sites, targeting and eliminating mosquito larvae before they mature.

The county government, in collaboration with the national government and development partners, aims to reduce malaria prevalence from 39% to 25%. Karani emphasized the importance of the IRS campaign in reducing malaria-related fatalities, especially among children under five.

Two months prior, the county government and the Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI) initiated the second phase of a campaign to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds in villages, targeting 80,000 households. The first phase, launched on January 31 and running until February 27, 2024, covered the six sub-counties of Teso South, Nambale, Matayos, Butula, Samia, and Bunyala.

According to the 2020 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey (KMIS), malaria accounted for 40% of all outpatient cases in Busia County. The ongoing efforts, including LSM and IRS, signify a multi-pronged approach to significantly reduce malaria prevalence and its associated morbidity and mortality in the region.