Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have raised concerns about the government’s Sh6.7 billion Mpox response fund, criticizing it as insufficient and poorly prioritized. This comes as the government announced the formation of a national multi-agency Mpox team, with the Council of Governors set to nominate representatives and technical officers from the Counties.
In a press conference, the CSOs called on the government to reallocate funds to critical areas such as vaccine procurement, advanced diagnostic tools, and community sensitization. They warned that the stakes are high for Mpox, a highly contagious disease with a death rate of approximately 3.33 percent.
Dr. Samuel Kinyanjui, Country Program Director at AHF Kenya, likened the situation to the early days of COVID-19, cautioning that today’s reported cases could quickly escalate into a major outbreak if not addressed promptly. “Mpox could follow the same path as COVID-19. The reported five cases today could turn into thousands, just like one COVID case led to more than 300,000 infections and nearly 6,000 deaths. We must act now before it’s too late,” he said.
The CSOs also urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to expedite the review and approval of alternative Mpox vaccines to enhance affordability and accessibility. Currently, the only available vaccine is the MVA-BN, costing Sh12,900 per dose, which is prohibitively expensive for many.
Dr. Kinyanjui emphasized the need for technology and knowledge transfers, including patent waivers, to enable regional vaccine production. “These measures will increase vaccine supply, reduce costs, and strengthen the global response to Mpox,” he stated.
With Mpox cases confirmed in 18 African countries, including Kenya and Uganda, the CSOs expressed concern over limited diagnostic capacity. The WHO has warned that many suspected Mpox cases, while clinically consistent with the disease, remain untested and unconfirmed. Of the allocated Sh6.7 billion, only Sh10 million is designated for screening at border points, with no funds allocated for advanced diagnostic tools crucial for accurate and rapid case detection.
