Kenya’s mpox outbreak has reached 1,309 confirmed cases and 19 deaths across 40 counties, the Ministry of Health said in its most recent update, as of September 12, 2026. Seven counties — Mombasa, Nairobi, Busia, Makueni, Kiambu, Kilifi and Nakuru — have been flagged as high-risk because they sit along major transport corridors and border crossings where the virus spreads fastest.
The rise from 1,298 cases just six days earlier shows the outbreak is still active, even as the ministry rolls out a second phase of vaccinations in three coastal and border counties. Here’s what the numbers mean, who’s most exposed, and what to do if you think you’ve been in contact with the virus.
How many mpox cases has Kenya recorded?
Kenya’s case count has climbed steadily since the outbreak was first flagged, spreading from a handful of counties to 40 of the country’s 47. Mombasa carries the heaviest burden by far, followed by Nairobi and Busia.
- Mombasa: 452 confirmed cases — the highest in the country
- Nairobi: 320 confirmed cases
- Busia: 115 confirmed cases
- National total: 1,309 cases and 19 deaths across 40 counties, as of September 12, 2026
The Ministry of Health has not published a full county-by-county breakdown beyond these top three, but officials say the remaining cases are spread thinly across the other 37 affected counties, with Kiambu, Kilifi, Makueni and Nakuru drawing extra attention because of their location on busy transport routes.
Which counties are at highest risk?
Mombasa, Nairobi, Busia, Makueni, Kiambu, Kilifi and Nakuru are the seven counties the ministry has named as high-risk. The common thread is geography: all seven sit on major highways, at border points, or along routes used heavily by long-distance truck drivers, one of the groups the ministry has specifically prioritized for vaccination.
Public Secretary for Health Mary Muthoni has urged residents in these counties in particular to strengthen hygiene practices, avoid unnecessary close contact with anyone showing symptoms, and seek medical attention promptly rather than waiting out a rash or fever at home.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
Mpox typically starts with fever, a severe headache, muscle and body aches, back pain, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes. The most recognizable sign follows a few days later: a rash or cluster of skin lesions that can appear on the face, hands, feet, chest or genitals before scabbing over and healing.
Anyone who develops this pattern of symptoms, especially after contact with a suspected case or travel through one of the seven high-risk counties, should isolate where possible and contact a health facility rather than self-medicating.
Where can Kenyans get tested or vaccinated?
Testing is centralized at two designated laboratories: the National Virology Reference Laboratory in Nairobi and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) facility in Kisumu. County hospitals and health centers can collect samples for onward testing even where they don’t run the tests themselves.
On vaccines, Kenya has received 10,700 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine, administered as a two-dose series spaced four weeks apart. The first vaccination campaign wrapped up in September 2025; a second phase is now underway in Mombasa, Kilifi and Busia counties, prioritizing close contacts of confirmed cases, long-distance truck drivers and frontline healthcare workers rather than the general public.
That targeted approach means most Kenyans outside these risk groups won’t be offered the vaccine directly — the ministry’s public message instead centers on hygiene, early symptom recognition and prompt reporting. Kenya has also intensified Ebola surveillance alongside its mpox response, part of a wider push to screen travelers and strengthen outbreak preparedness across board crossings, following the same logic that put Mombasa, Busia and Kilifi on the priority list. Kenya’s Ebola readiness has climbed to 90% even as deaths from that separate outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to rise, and the country has already screened more than 140,000 travelers without a confirmed Ebola case.
What is the Ministry of Health telling Kenyans to do?
The ministry’s guidance is straightforward: keep up basic hygiene, avoid unnecessary close contact with anyone who has a rash or unexplained fever, and don’t delay seeking care. Health officials have stressed that most mpox cases resolve with supportive care and isolation, but the 19 deaths recorded so far show delayed treatment carries real risk, especially for anyone with a weakened immune system.
Kenya recently opened a free 922 emergency line and national ambulance dispatch centre, which health officials say is also available for anyone needing to reach emergency medical help over a suspected mpox case, particularly in the seven high-risk counties.
Frequently asked questions
Is mpox the same as smallpox?
No. Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is related to smallpox but is generally less severe. It causes a similar rash but has a much lower fatality rate and Kenya’s outbreak, while serious, has not approached the severity of historical smallpox epidemics.
How does mpox spread?
Mpox spreads mainly through close physical contact with an infected person’s skin lesions, body fluids, or contaminated materials like bedding and clothing. It can also spread through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
Can I get vaccinated if I’m not in a high-risk county?
Kenya’s current vaccination campaign is prioritizing high-risk groups — close contacts of confirmed cases, long-distance truck drivers and frontline healthcare workers — in Mombasa, Kilifi and Busia counties specifically. The Ministry of Health has not announced a general public rollout outside these groups as of mid-September 2026.
What should I do if I think I have mpox?
Isolate from others as much as possible, avoid sharing bedding or clothing, and contact a health facility to arrange testing rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen. The 922 emergency line can help direct you to the nearest facility.
Are mpox cases still rising in Kenya?
Yes. The case count rose from 1,298 on September 6 to 1,309 by September 12, 2026, showing the outbreak remains active even as vaccination efforts expand in the hardest-hit counties.
By the 254.ke Newsroom.
