As the world commemorates World Polio Day on 24th October under the global theme, “One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio delivering on our promise of a polio-free world!”, Rotary District 9212 (covering Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea,and South Sudan) is collaborating with Kenya’s Ministry of Health to carry out polio immunization in five counties.
"In partnership with the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation, Rotary District 9212 will host the Polio Campaign Launch in Migori County,’’ Rotary District 9212 End Polio Committee Chair Yvonne Kimutai said.
"This event will serve as the official kickoff for the five-county immunization campaign covering Migori, Kisumu, Homabay, Narok, and Siaya Counties. It will bring together Rotary, the government and partner organizations for a united public health and awareness effort,’ Kimutai said.
"We are conducting the big catch-up vaccination to target zero doses and under vaccinated children with polio vaccine in order to catch up restore and strengthen routine immunization,’’ according to Kenya’s Ministry of Health.
In the Rotary year beginning July 2023, Rotarians in Rotary District 9212 contributed $36,885 toward eradication of polio. The contributions increased to $72,857 in the last Rotary year, which ended on June 30, 2025.
Rotarians in Kenya will hold End Polio walks in different locations across the country on Saturday 25th October 2025.
The Nairobi End Polio Walk will be held at the University of Nairobi graduation square from 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m. Other walks will be held on the same day in Mombasa and Naivasha.
A launch for the Polio Campaign will be held in Migori County on the 15th Of November 2025.
The 17 Rotary Clubs at the Kenyan coast will have a walk in Taveta town on October 24th 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. On 25th October, the clubs will have a walk in Mwatate town from 8:00 am and a free medical camp and polio immunization at Bura Health Centre from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
To raise funds for polio eradication, the Rotary Club of Kitengela already hosted an African culture fashion show on October 18, 2025.
"These walks aim to raise awareness, increase giving, and strengthen Rotary’s visibility at community level,’’ Kimutai said.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of five.
The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system.
