A nationwide polio vaccination campaign has been launched in Kenya following the detection of five new cases, prompting health authorities to sound the alarm.

The Ministry of Health is targeting approximately four million children in nine high-risk counties to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni, emphasised the urgent need for national action during a media briefing on Monday.

According to Muthoni, the outbreak poses a significant threat to public health, and must be addressed swiftly to mitigate its impact.

Four of the confirmed cases have been identified in the Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana County, likely linked to an outbreak in neighbouring countries.

The fifth case was discovered through environmental surveillance in Nairobi's Kamukunji area, highlighting the virus's potential for widespread transmission.

In response to the outbreak, the Ministry has identified nine high-risk counties: Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu, Kajiado, Turkana, Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, and West Pokot.

The vaccination campaign will focus on children under the age of ten, aiming to build immunity against the poliovirus.

To enhance healthcare access and facilitate registration for social health insurance, the Ministry has partnered with Community Health Promoters (CHPs).

These frontline workers will play a crucial role in conducting door-to-door polio vaccinations and assisting with the registration process.

Following the stakeholder event, PS Muthoni visited several CHP training centres in Nairobi, Kajiado, and Kiambu counties to oversee their preparation for the social health insurance registration drive.

With a registration radius of 100 households each, the 107,000 CHPs nationwide are expected to reach a significant portion of the population.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, the government has already successfully registered two million individuals for social health insurance, demonstrating the initiative's momentum.

As the polio vaccination campaign unfolds, health authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to protect public health and eradicate this preventable disease.