By Judith Gicobi
Mortein Doom has appointed award-winning Kenyan singer Wahu Kagwi as its brand ambassador for its freshly launched countrywide anti-malaria campaign.
Wahu, who is married to fellow musician Nameless, will be the image of the ‘Fight to End Malaria’ program.
“In our country’s health as in many other areas, women and mothers are the agents of change and the driving force that creates better lives for families, communities and the society at large. I am really glad to work with Mortein as it continues to pave way to a malaria-free Kenya,” she said on her appointment.
Mortein’s parental company Reckitt claims the decision to make Wahu the brand ambassador is aimed at raising public awareness about preventative measures while reassuring people that the deadly disease is also curable and eradicable.
“This alliance is aimed at fostering a partnership between Mortein and Wahu to create awareness about the ever-present threat of malaria in Kenya and our renewed commitment towards eradicating the disease,” said Reckitt Kenya Country Manager Asif Hashimi.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kenya has an estimated 3.5 million new clinical cases and 10,700 fatalities per year, with individuals residing in western Kenya having a higher risk of malaria.
According to the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2021, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the brunt of the malaria burden, accounting for about 95% of all cases and 96 percent of all fatalities in 2020.
Children under the age of five account for almost 80% of all fatalities in the region.
