Nairobi, April 25 -- For many Kenyans, malaria is a familiar illness something treated at home or with a quick visit to the nearby chemist or clinic. But this familiarity has created a dangerous perception: that malaria is mild and not worth worrying about. The reality is very different.

Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases globally. In 2023, it claimed more than half a million lives, with the majority of deaths occurring in Africa. Most heartbreaking is that children under five accounted for 76 per cent of these deaths. The most severe form, caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, is also the most common in Africa.

Despite these sobering figures, many people still do not view malaria as a major threat. One reason is that...