Nairobi: Kirinyaga County has intensified efforts to combat Tuberculosis (TB) by strengthening early detection, diagnosis, and treatment as the country continues to grapple with a high burden of the disease.
According to Kenya News Agency, the renewed push comes as the world marked World Tuberculosis Day 2026, with health experts warning that many TB cases remain undiagnosed, contributing to continued transmission and preventable deaths. Kenya records over 120,000 new TB infections annually, with thousands of deaths largely linked to delayed diagnosis and interrupted treatment.
Speaking in Wang’uru town in Mwea Constituency, the area leading in TB burden within the county, Kirinyaga County Infectious Disease Coordinator, Dr. Franklin Mwenda, described TB as a silent airborne disease that continues to pose a major public health threat. Dr. Mwenda said TB primarily affects the lungs but can spread to almost all parts of the body once the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
He noted that about 80 percent of TB cases are pulmonary, which are highly infectious, but warned that extra-pulmonary TB remains a major concern due to its complexity and delayed detection. The coordinator highlighted spinal TB as one of the most dangerous forms, saying it often begins with mild but persistent back pain that many people ignore.
Dr. Mwenda also raised concern over genital TB, noting that it affects the reproductive organs in both men and women and is often misunderstood or mistaken for other infections, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. He explained that because many people do not associate TB with reproductive health, patients may seek treatment late, increasing the risk of complications and long-term damage.
He urged the public to seek medical attention for any unusual or persistent symptoms. He emphasized that all forms of TB are treatable when detected and patients adhere to medication. However, he cautioned that drug-resistant TB and extra-pulmonary forms such as genital TB require longer, more complex treatment and close medical follow-up to ensure full recovery and to prevent further spread of the disease.
Dr. Mwenda observed that men are more affected due to lifestyle factors and delays in seeking medical care, adding that the county is scaling up community outreach programmes targeting markets and social spaces to promote early testing. He said the county has embraced modern diagnostic technology, including GeneXpert machines installed at Kerugoya County Referral Hospital, Kimbimbi, Sagana, and Thiba hospitals, which enable rapid detection of TB, including drug-resistant strains.
He noted that poor nutrition weakens the body’s immune system, making it harder to fight off infection once infected, while underlying health conditions such as kidney disease further increase susceptibility to the disease. Mwenda added that those living in poorly ventilated environments, especially in densely populated households, create ideal conditions for TB transmission, as fresh air circulation is limited and infectious droplets remain in the air for longer periods.
Dr. Mwenda reiterated that ending TB will require collective effort, early testing, and strict adherence to treatment. He emphasized that the Department of Health is intensifying efforts to prevent Tuberculosis (TB) through its Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT) programme. This initiative specifically targets individuals at high risk of infection, including household members of TB patients, pregnant mothers, and people living in confined settings such as prisons.
Kirinyaga County Executive Committee Member for Health, George Karoki, said the Kirinyaga County is implementing a Strategic Operational Framework for Tuberculosis aimed at integrating TB services into routine healthcare, strengthening prevention, and expanding access through both public and private facilities.
County Director of Health Services, Esbon Gakuo, said the county recorded 1,500 TB cases in 2025 and continues to expand access to services. He said Kirinyaga has established 107 TB treatment sites across both public and private health facilities, where residents can access free diagnosis and treatment.
The event also featured testimonies from TB survivors who shared their recovery journeys and encouraged others to seek treatment early. Charity Wanjiru Ngatia, 30 years, narrated how she was diagnosed with TB in 2020 while pregnant, but successfully completed treatment and delivered a healthy baby. Charity added that TB treatment was free, a move that helped her to complete medication without financial strain.
