Nairobi—Kenya completed its first mpox vaccination campaign in September 2025. The country deployed 10 700 doses of MVA-BN vaccine across three high-burden counties: Mombasa, Busia and Nakuru. In just 10 days, from 3–12 September, the campaign surpassed the national target by reaching 10 697 people, achieving 105.2% coverage.
The campaign was led by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with county health departments, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Amref, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), North Star Alliance and other partners. They focused on populations most at risk of mpox transmission. This included truck drivers, sex workers, health workers in isolation facilities and high-risk contacts of confirmed cases.
Jerusha Waithera, first recorded cases of Mpox in Nakuru
WHO / Ardo Farah
A bar hostess in Mai Mahiu, 37-year-old Jerusha Waithera, was the first Mpox case reported in Nakuru County last year. After two weeks of unexplained symptoms, she was diagnosed at Naivasha District Hospital, while her children were treated at Mai Mahiu Dispensary.
“Mpox affected my daughter’s eyesight. That is what pushed me to talk to people and make sure they are aware of this illness,” she said. During the vaccination campaign, Jerusha shared her story to encourage uptake. “I believe in the vaccine and want it to reach people so Mpox doesn’t affect families like mine.”
Lovina, another survivor diagnosed in July 2025, echoed this call. “Mpox is real. I lived through it. I would not wish it on anyone. The vaccine gives us a chance to fight. If you can get it, do it.”
By sharing their testimonies, survivors like Jerusha and Lovina became community mobilizers and directly addressed vaccine hesitancy.
“Mpox affected my daughter’s eyesight. That is what pushed me to talk to people and make sure they are aware of this illness,” she said. During the vaccination campaign, Jerusha shared her story to encourage uptake. “I believe in the vaccine and want it to reach people so Mpox doesn’t affect families like mine.”
Lovina, another survivor diagnosed in July 2025, echoed this call. “Mpox is real. I lived through it. I would not wish it on anyone. The vaccine gives us a chance to fight. If you can get it, do it.”
By sharing their testimonies, survivors like Jerusha and Lovina became community mobilizers and directly addressed vaccine hesitancy.
WHO | Ardo Farah
Nurse Dorcas Mutinda, practised transparent communication to address population concerns. "People wanted reassurance. They asked if the vaccine would fully protect them. We told them honestly it boosts immunity and gives you a better chance if you are exposed."
Her team systematically confronted misinformation through direct engagement. "Some men thought the vaccine was linked to family planning. We reassured them it has been tested and proven safe."
The vaccination protocol required informed consent following comprehensive patient education about procedures and potential adverse events, ensuring adherence to WHO vaccination safety standards and accountability frameworks.
Her team systematically confronted misinformation through direct engagement. "Some men thought the vaccine was linked to family planning. We reassured them it has been tested and proven safe."
The vaccination protocol required informed consent following comprehensive patient education about procedures and potential adverse events, ensuring adherence to WHO vaccination safety standards and accountability frameworks.
High risk populations: sex workers, truck drivers and health workers.
WHO | Ardo Farah
Initial monitoring revealed low turnout at static facilities. Long-distance drivers were resting during the day, sex workers where only available at night, and health workers could not leave their shifts.
From 2:00 to 9:00 p.m., vaccinators set up at truck stops, container yards, roadside bars and hospital shift handovers.
“We were on the road for days. Getting the vaccine here at the border gave us peace of mind,” said a driver vaccinated in Malaba, Busia County.
From 2:00 to 9:00 p.m., vaccinators set up at truck stops, container yards, roadside bars and hospital shift handovers.
“We were on the road for days. Getting the vaccine here at the border gave us peace of mind,” said a driver vaccinated in Malaba, Busia County.
WHO | Ardo Farah
A comprehensive community engagement strategy included door-to-door household visits, dialogue meetings, and launch events that distributed educational materials across affected areas.
Communication materials were adapted in multiple languages for mobile and cross-border populations. Public dramas and skits explained symptoms and prevention in relatable ways, ensuring messages resonated widely.
Communication materials were adapted in multiple languages for mobile and cross-border populations. Public dramas and skits explained symptoms and prevention in relatable ways, ensuring messages resonated widely.
WHO | Ardo Farah
Monitoring and surveillance remained central throughout the campaign and post-campaign period.
In the weeks following the campaign, confirmed Mpox cases increased due to increased surveillance, better clinical case identification and community awareness.
Annastancia Munge, WHO Kenya's Emergency Preparedness and Response Data manager, emphasized how real-time data guided operational decisions. "We worked with vaccination teams to adapt their plans, prioritise areas and ensure accurate data collection. This helped us monitor uptake, identify gaps quickly and generate evidence for better decision-making."
In the weeks following the campaign, confirmed Mpox cases increased due to increased surveillance, better clinical case identification and community awareness.
Annastancia Munge, WHO Kenya's Emergency Preparedness and Response Data manager, emphasized how real-time data guided operational decisions. "We worked with vaccination teams to adapt their plans, prioritise areas and ensure accurate data collection. This helped us monitor uptake, identify gaps quickly and generate evidence for better decision-making."
Campaign coverage reached 105.2% of target population
WHO | Ardo Farah
The campaign achieved 105.2% coverage due to success factors including effective social mobilization, high vaccine acceptance, multi-sectoral partnerships, and political commitment at national and county levels.
Denise Thuranira, a North Star Alliance nurse said, “the community has responded positively, with no resistance to the campaign. Social mobilisation and coordination have had a great positive impact”.
Denise Thuranira, a North Star Alliance nurse said, “the community has responded positively, with no resistance to the campaign. Social mobilisation and coordination have had a great positive impact”.
WHO | Ardo Farah
These results demonstrate how national emergency preparedness frameworks can be operationalized to achieve effective public health outcomes when aligned with local contexts and population needs.
“As Kenya continues strengthening its mpox preparedness and response capabilities, this campaign has established foundational systems for sustainable, community-centered health emergency interventions,” said Dr Martins Chibueze Livinus, WHO Kenya Head of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
“As Kenya continues strengthening its mpox preparedness and response capabilities, this campaign has established foundational systems for sustainable, community-centered health emergency interventions,” said Dr Martins Chibueze Livinus, WHO Kenya Head of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
For Additional Information or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Genna Print
Communication officer
WHO Kenya
Tel: +254 740 466 426
Email: printg [at] who.int (printg[at]who[dot]int)