MOMBASA County—Jan 21, 2026—Health experts in Kenya have warned communities against the misuse of medicines without professional guidance, citing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which makes common infections harder to treat.
Speaking at a conference on AMR hosted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Mombasa, KEMRI’s Board of Directors Chairperson Dr. Abdullahi Ali Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of seeking advice from qualified health professionals before taking any medications.
“Communities must assess the use of medicines through health experts rather than using them indiscriminately, which can seriously affect their health,” he said.
The warning was echoed by Dr. Saumu Wayuwa, a pediatric health specialist in Mombasa County, who said misuse of antibiotics and other medicines has already negatively impacted public health.
“Improper use of drugs without professional guidance is worsening health outcomes,” Dr. Wayuwa said. He urged stakeholders to continue raising awareness to effectively combat this growing public health challenge.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites evolve to resist treatments, rendering common infections difficult or impossible to cure.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), misuse and overuse of antibiotics are key drivers of AMR, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths annually across Africa.
Kenya has taken steps to address the crisis through its National Action Plan on AMR, launched in alignment with global and African frameworks.
Experts stress that public awareness and responsible medicine use at the community level are critical to preventing a future where previously treatable infections become life-threatening
