A devastating measles outbreak in Kitui County has claimed the lives of two sisters from a single household in Kyuso — one of them a Form Four candidate from Ikime Secondary School who was set to sit her KCSE exams later this year.
The girls, aged 14 and 17, died on Thursday in Kavaini and Mitamisyi locations of Ngomeni Ward, Mwingi North Sub-County. The elder sister passed away at dawn, followed by her younger sibling hours later. Authorities confirmed that four other children in the same household are currently showing signs of measles.
According to Kyuso Deputy County Commissioner Reuben Kimosop, the family belongs to the notorious Kavonokya sect, a group known for shunning medical treatment and refusing to take their sick members to hospitals.
“This is not just a public health failure — it is a deadly result of dangerous beliefs. These deaths were entirely avoidable,” said Kimosop, who noted that the children were kept at home despite exhibiting severe symptoms.
A close relative revealed that the girls had fallen ill days earlier but were never taken to a health facility. “They believed medicine is evil. They thought prayer alone would heal them,” the source said.
In an ongoing public notice that has since gone viral, Kavaini Area Chief Timothy Kimwele confirmed the outbreak and urged residents to remain vigilant. He stated, “Measles cases have been confirmed in Ngomeni Ward, and tragically, two lives have already been lost. I am directing all Nyumba Kumi officials, village elders, and residents to cooperate with health officials and report any suspected cases immediately.”
In response, a joint multi-agency team has been deployed to carry out a massive door-to-door immunisation campaign targeting all children in Ngomeni Ward, particularly in Kavaini, Mitamisyi, and surrounding areas including Ikime. The campaign is being spearheaded by County Commissioner Julius Kavonokya and local health officials, with support from police, village elders, and Nyumba Kumi networks.
“We are taking decisive action. No child should die because of ignorance. Every household must comply,” said Commissioner Kavonokya.
Two adult members of the affected family were arraigned in court on Friday, accused of public health negligence and failure to report a notifiable disease, in breach of national disease surveillance laws.
Officials say the incident has exposed a broader crisis the dangerous influence of religious sects that discourage medical intervention. “We’ve battled polio, TB, and now measles but some groups are dragging us backwards,” Kimosop said.
Health authorities have urged residents to report any suspected measles cases immediately and to allow vaccination teams into their homes. The Ministry of Health has also warned that any resistance to the ongoing immunisation drive will be met with firm legal action.
“This tragedy has shaken us. We lost brilliant young girls who had a future and we lost them because of a belief system that denies science and rejects help,” said Kimosop.
