Local teams Red Stars FC and Amigo FC faced off at Juma Chando ground Chidutani Chonyi. Photo by Anthony Mwachiro.
On a bright Friday morning, the sleepy village of Chidutani Chonyi in Kilifi County woke up to a different kind of energy. It wasn’t just the promise of a thrilling football match, the lively sounds of Compassion Chanagande and the Nyalani Brass Band and the beat of music drifting from the Mwembe Kati Amphitheatre by Afro Simba band, it was the spirit of a community coming together, determined to tackle one of its oldest foes, malaria, as the county marked these year’s Malaria Day celebrations.
With the youth at the heart of the event, the day was a vibrant blend of sports, arts, and powerful health messaging, all with one mission, to control and eventually eliminate malaria in the county one step at a time.
According to recent reports from the Kilifi County Department of Health, young people aged between 8 and 28 are the most vulnerable to malaria infections. It was only fitting, then, that they would be the main actors in this unique celebration.
At the dusty grounds of Juma Chando Chidutani, two local football teams, Red Stars FC and Amigo FC, faced off in a spirited match. Dressed in special jerseys boldly inscribed with the message “Sisi Ndani, Mbu Nje”, the players gave it their all, thrilling the crowd.
After a goalless draw in regular time, Red Stars edged out Amigo FC with a 6-5 win on penalties, the victory celebrated not just as a win in football but also in health awareness.
Meanwhile, at Mwembe Kati Amphitheatre, just beside Mwembe Kati Dispensary, the atmosphere buzzed with life. Blood donation drives, malaria awareness talks, and even sessions about managing other health conditions like Fistula kept the crowd engaged.
Speaking to an audience filled mostly with young people, Dr. Hassan Khamis, the Director of Health Kilifi County, had encouraging news, malaria prevalence in the county had dropped from 8% to 5% over the last five years. However, he warned, the youth remain at significant risk.
“Areas such as Kilifi South, Kilifi North, Rabai, Kaloleni, and Ganze still report high malaria transmission,” Dr. Khamis said.
He emphasized the importance of seeking immediate treatment, completing prescribed medication, maintaining clean environments, draining stagnant water, and consistently sleeping under treated mosquito nets.
The day’s theme was clear hence involving youth was no coincidence. As Chimwaga Mwamuye, Kilifi’s county Malaria Control Coordinator, explained with a chuckle, “When we hold regular events, the youth barely show up. But sports and arts pull them in. And once they are here, it’s easier to pass important health messages.”
He said they chose to mark the day in that particular area because it is one of the regions with the highest rates of malaria infections in Kilifi County.
“People aged 8 to 28 have been the most affected, both in terms of infection and fatalities. They often feel invincible, thinking a small mosquito can’t hurt them. We wanted to change that mindset and we are happy to say that we achieved our goal today,” he said.
One voice that resonated deeply during the celebrations was that of Gladys Mbeyu, a local hero awarded last year by President William Ruto for her community service. Living with sickle cell disease for 56 years, Mbeyu took the opportunity to highlight the dangers malaria poses to individuals like herself.
“Malaria in someone with sickle cell disease can be fatal. Immediate hospital care is crucial,” she stressed passionately, urging the community to remain vigilant and proactive in malaria prevention.
Mwamuye noted that the number of sickle cell cases in Kilifi is rising, making the fight against malaria even more urgent.
Adding to the glamour, the county crowned its very own malaria ambassadors Miss and Mr. Malaria titles awarded to Doreen Chetum Lochulit, a third-year nursing student at North Coast Medical Training College, and Levis Glen Wainaina, a second-year student at the same institution. These two will now lead the charge in spreading malaria prevention messages across Kilifi’s communities.
Among the key stakeholders at the event included the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), World Friends Organization, Pwani University and North Coast Medical Training College Kikambala.
This year, World Malaria Day was marked under the global theme “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, a call to action to renew the fight against malaria at every level from global policy to the grassroots energy seen in Kilifi.
As the sun set over Chonyi and the youthful crowd slowly dispersed, one thing was clear, the fight against malaria isn’t just about medicine and nets, it’s about community, creativity, and the unstoppable spirit of young people leading the way.
