Nakuru among top five counties with highest TB cases, new data shows

New data shows that Nakuru County is among the top five counties in the country with the highest number of tuberculosis (TB) cases, placing the region under growing pressure to curb the disease.

Since January, the county has reported over 2,200 cases of drug-susceptible TB (DSTB) and 36 cases of drug-resistant TB (DRTB).

According to Dr Neimah Barasa, the Nakuru County TB, Leprosy and Lung Disease Coordinator, these figures indicate a persistent health burden affecting households across the county.

"Our case notification rate currently stands at 127 per 100,000 people countywide. This number is high and, if the current trend continues, we may reach or even surpass last year's total of 3,154 cases by December," Dr Barasa says.

Nakuru West sub-county has the highest number of drug-susceptible TB cases, followed by Naivasha. Meanwhile, Gilgil and Subukia have the highest number of drug-resistant TB cases, which are harder and more expensive to treat.

Additionally, 25 percent of TB patients are HIV positive, with Molo sub-county accounting for the majority of these cases.

To strengthen early detection, the county government has collaborated with the national government to roll out ultra-portable digital X-ray machines powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These machines have been deployed at six sites across different sub-counties, with two at each site for community outreach through the National TB Programme, supported by the Global Fund.

"So far, we have screened over 5,000 people in Nakuru East, Nakuru West, Bahati, Rongai and Njoro sub-counties, and this number is expected to rise as the programme continues. We have diagnosed about 97 TB cases, both clinically and bacteriologically, and all patients have been linked to care," she says.

The spread of tuberculosis (TB) is driven by several risk factors, including poor ventilation in homes and public transport, prolonged close contact with infectious patients, and crowded settings such as prisons and refugee camps. TB also spreads more easily among people with weakened immunity, such as those living with HIV.
Dr Barasa emphasises that TB can be prevented and cured if detected early.

"TB has a cure. Drugs are available and free of charge. Let’s avoid self-medication, especially for recurring symptoms, and seek professional medical attention from the nearest health facility,” she explains.

TB treatment is free regardless of the strain, whether drug-susceptible or drug-resistant.
Patients on drug-resistant medication also receive monthly transport support to help them keep up with clinic visits. In addition, preventive therapy is available free of charge for high-risk individuals, such as close contacts, to prevent the disease from developing.

Despite efforts to curb the disease stigma and misinformation remain as barriers.

“We should continuously work to disseminate the right information about TB, challenge any misinformation and actively combat TB-related stigma and discrimination,” she says.