Why Mosquitoes Are Swarming Nairobi and Its Surroundings

Residents across Nairobi have in recent weeks raised concerns over what they describe as a surge in mosquito populations, with some linking the trend to online conspiracy theories.

However, medical practitioner and science communicator Dr. Reign has dismissed the speculation, pointing instead to urbanisation, construction sites, and weather patterns as the key drivers behind the rise.

In a video shared on his X account, Dr. Reign attributed the increase to rapid urban development and poor drainage systems, especially in densely built areas.

“How we are having an increase in mosquitoes is the increase in urbanization, or should I say poor planning,” he said.

He singled out construction-heavy neighbourhoods such as Kilimani, noting that stagnant water at building sites provides ideal breeding grounds.

“A lot of these construction sites are becoming breeding sites for a lot of mosquitoes,” he explained.

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According to him, when stagnant water combines with warm temperatures, mosquito larvae hatch and replicate rapidly, often within seven to fourteen days, leading to noticeable population spikes.

Heat and Climate Factors

Dr. Reign also addressed earlier claims that Nairobi was experiencing a heatwave, clarifying that the Kenya Meteorological Department had already termed such reports as misinformation.

Still, he noted that warmer conditions, even if not classified as a heatwave, favour mosquito breeding.

“When there’s a lot of heat and warm temperatures, this is where different mosquitoes thrive in warmer conditions,” he said.

He added that climate variability may also be contributing to the changing breeding patterns.

Not the Malaria-Spreading Mosquito

Importantly, Dr. Reign clarified that the dominant species currently troubling Nairobi residents is the Culex mosquito not the Anopheles mosquito, which is known to spread malaria.

“The mosquito population is the Culex mosquito, not the Anopheles mosquito that is known to spread malaria,” he stated.

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He described Culex mosquitoes as loud, persistent, and responsible for particularly itchy bites that can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.

Debunking the Gates Foundation Claims

The surge in mosquitoes had sparked online speculation, including claims that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was releasing genetically modified mosquitoes in Nairobi.

“As much as people want to blame certain things, such as the Gates Foundation for releasing lab-grown genetically modified mosquitoes, that is absolutely false. Science is telling us something else.”

The Gates Foundation has also publicly denied operating laboratories in Nairobi or releasing mosquitoes in Kenya, stating that malaria control efforts are led by Kenyan authorities under strict regulatory oversight.

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