The government says the mysterious illness that has emerged in Kisii County, particularly affecting the South Mugirango Constituency, is a result of water contamination. 

Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, confirmed that the mysterious illness identified last month was caused by the contamination of a community well.

While addressing the issue on Tuesday, March 4, the PS further revealed that the well was contaminated with faecal matter.

In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health deployed a team of medical experts to the affected areas to investigate the outbreak and support local health officials. The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday joined the search for the cause of the illness.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati speaking on September 20, 2023

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Simba Arati

Health officials visited the well serving the affected villages and collected water samples for testing.

PS Muthoni confirmed that samples were collected for analysis and sent to the government chemist.

The mysterious illness has affected over 200 residents across villages such as Nyabigege, Nyamarondo, and Nyarigiro.

Affected individuals are experiencing a range of symptoms, including high fever, persistent diarrhoea—sometimes with bloody stools—and intense headaches.

Other symptoms include joint pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

These symptoms have persisted for approximately two weeks, leading to hospitalisations in facilities such as Tabaka Mission Hospital, Nyatike Level Two Hospital, Prina Hospital, and Royal Hospital in Rongo.

Residents have been advised to boil all drinking and cooking water as a precautionary measure.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with county health authorities, continues to monitor the situation closely and has intensified disease surveillance and screening efforts to identify the exact cause of the illness and implement appropriate containment measures.

Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni during a meeting with the National Laboratory Services officials on January 7, 2025.

Ministry of Health