Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has called for immediate intervention in response to a mysterious illness that has affected over 200 residents in three villages of the South Mugirango constituency.
In an official statement dated Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Onyonka urged health authorities to expedite sample testing, deploy additional medical personnel, and enhance public awareness of hygiene and water safety.
He also emphasized the importance of long-term solutions to ensure safe drinking water and called for transparency from health officials in providing regular updates.
“1 urge health authorities to fast-track the testing of collected samples to determine the exact cause of this illness so that appropriate interventions can be put in place, the Ministry of Health and Kisii County Government to deploy additional medical personnel and provide the necessary supplies to treat those affected.
“I encourage residents to take extra precautions, including boiling all drinking and cooking water to minimize the risk of infection. I also urge community health workers to step up sensitization efforts on hygiene and sanitation. I expect health authorities to provide consistent updates on the status of the outbreak and the measures being taken to contain it,” Onyonka stated.
Onyonka reassured the community that his office will continue to push for swift action to protect the health and well-being of the people.
“This outbreak highlights the urgent need for improved water infrastructure in South Mugirango. I will be engaging both county and national governments to ensure that clean and safe drinking water is provided to our people,” he added.
Govt on mysterious illness
The government has assured the public that the situation is under control following the outbreak of a mysterious disease which has seen individuals suffering from severe diarrhoea, bloody stools, high fever, and intense headaches, which is believed to be waterborne, possibly linked to contaminated local water sources.
On Monday, March 3, 2025, Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni urged residents of South Mugirango to remain calm as authorities worked to identify the cause and implement necessary interventions.
Speaking to the press Muthoni said that the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Kisii County government to analyze the samples and determine the appropriate medical response.
“We have sent our surveillance officers on the ground. We are working closely with the Kisii County government to establish from the samples that we are collecting the extent at which we need to move the kind of medication that needs to be done and also what needs to be done. Our officers on the ground are collecting samples so we can establish what the disease is. We wish to ask the public to remain calm; things are under control, and we will keep you informed,” Muthoni reassured.
