Thika Town Sub-County Public Health Officer Dr Austine Milliano has expressed disappointment over the use of mosquito nets by area residents to fence their vegetable farms.
Speaking in his Thika office on Wednesday, Milliano noted that some residents in the area had disregarded the importance of the nets and had designated them to other functions.
"These nets are provided free of charge in public hospitals. But as it is the norm with free things, people decide that they are not fit for them and hence use them with other things,” said Milliano.
He noted that despite a heightened campaign by his office in the sub-county on the use of mosquito nets, many residents do not take them seriously and continue to use them in their farms.
The health officer warned that the expected October El Nino rains were likely to increase mosquito breeding due to increase in stagnant water and advised residents to acquire nets ahead of the rains.
"There is no doubt that if residents do not heed to our advice, malaria infections may go high during the rainy season,” he said.