Kenya’s latest uninvited guest, the Mpox virus, is no longer just loitering along the Northern Transport Corridor; it’s clearly caught the travel bug. In a Tuesday update, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed the virus is now touring Kisii and Kirinyaga, bumping up the national infection count to a dramatic 137 cases across 17 counties. Yes, you read that right—seventeen!
Leading the infected parade is Busia, which seems to be the virus’s favourite hangout spot with a whopping 48 cases. Mombasa isn’t far behind because even viruses can’t resist the beach, racking up 37 cases. Nakuru is repping with 16, and Makueni joins the club with 10.
And Nairobi? Only five cases so far because the traffic won’t even let a virus move freely here! Kajiado and Bungoma are tied at three cases each, clearly not ready to be left out of the viral road trip.
Counties like Taita Taveta, Kericho, and Kilifi have each reported two cases; maybe Mpox just stopped over for a cup of tea. Meanwhile, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Migori, Isiolo, Machakos, Kisii, and Kirinyaga each logged one or two cases, possibly a “soft launch” by the virus?
Muthoni emphasised that health teams are on high alert, tracking and containing the outbreak, but seriously, Mpox needs to chill before it tries to hit all 47 counties like it’s on a presidential campaign trail.
Stay safe, wash your hands, and keep your distance. And if you see Mpox packing its bags for your count,y slam the border shut with sanitizer!
