Kenya’s fight against malaria has received a major boost after the World Health Organization (WHO) approved spatial repellents developed by SC Johnson, with mass production already underway at the company’s Nairobi plant.
The repellents, developed by SC Johnson the maker of household brands such as OFF!, Raid and Baygon have been under research and development for more than a decade and are now officially endorsed by WHO as safe, effective, and scalable.
The company has already invested more than $100 million in developing, testing, and deploying its two main products, SC Johnson Guardian and SC Johnson Mosquito Shield, which have now been given WHO prequalification listing.
This recognition means they can be procured and distributed through global health programs to reach vulnerable populations.
Kenya is among the first countries to benefit directly, as SC Johnson recently opened two high-speed manufacturing lines at its Nairobi plant to produce Guardian spatial repellents.
At full capacity, the plant will be able to produce up to 20 million units annually, targeting both local communities and wider African distribution.
“From day one, this has been a not-for-profit initiative driven by our commitment to combat diseases that threaten hundreds of millions of people,” said Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson.
The repellents, about the size of a sheet of paper, can be hung in semi-enclosed spaces such as homes and schools. They work by releasing an active ingredient that repels mosquitoes, reducing biting rates and lessening the transmission of diseases like malaria.
Clinical trials, conducted in countries including Kenya, Indonesia, and Peru, showed that spatial repellents can reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infections by up to 33 percent, with Guardian offering protection for up to one year.
Richard Allan, CEO of The MENTOR Initiative one of SC Johnson’s global public health partners hailed the WHO recommendation as a breakthrough:
“People want a tool that works for how they live. Frankly, these are the first tools I’ve seen in 36 years that have the promise of doing that. These could be a real game changer.” said Richard.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has previously partnered with SC Johnson to pilot the repellents in malaria-prone regions, with promising results.
The WHO endorsement is expected to accelerate adoption of the new technology, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where malaria remains a significant threat.
Globally, malaria continues to kill more than 600,000 people annually, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest burden.
Since 2013, SC Johnson reports having reached more than 110 million people worldwide through public health initiatives and distribution of repellents.
