Panic in Mombasa after mysterious disease kills four people

The government is investigating the mysterious deaths of four residents of the Migadini area in Changamwe, Mombasa County.

The four died from a disease that is yet to be identified. The disease leaves its victims' bodies swollen and riddled with pus-filled wounds.

Residents are now calling on the government to determine the root cause of the deaths and to establish how residents can protect themselves.

The first incident occurred on July 9, 2025, when a 91-year-old woman died at home. According to the Mombasa County Government, she succumbed to an unspecified chronic disease. 

A week later, three cases were reported, including a 55-year-old man and a 69-year-old man who were discovered in their early stages of decomposition. The fourth case involved a 57-year-old man who was also found dead in his house.

The pain of loss is deepened by the uncertainty surrounding the disease and what it could mean for this estate and its surroundings.

"Ule mwili vile ulivyo unafura fura kama majipu vile alafu uko na white white vile," said Michael Nyamai, an area resident.

"Mtu anafura hivi anakuwa kama ndovu, anakuwa na malengelenge, anatoa harufu mbaya. Hatuelewi ni ugonjwa gani," added Maulid Hassan, another resident.

The residents are now fearing for their lives since they had interacted with the deceased, uncertain of the disease’s origin and worried they could be next.

"Kuna wengine wagonjwa pia wameenda kulazwa. Hii ugonjwa itatatiza jamii kwa ujumla," said Wera.

While a section of the residents believe this could be an outbreak of a disease, others suspect the four may have been exposed to dangerous chemicals from a nearby factory.

"We are not so quick to say it’s Mpox because we have got what we are suspecting, the people who are dead might have been inhaling toxic fumes that are coming from the neighbouring installations," said Peterside Otieno, a resident of Migadini.

Health officials from Mombasa County have visited the affected area as they begin investigations into the identity and nature of the strange disease ravaging the area.

In a statement, the Mombasa County Government appealed to the public to liaise with health workers to report any cases of missing persons and avoid handling any human remains. 

They also advised the residents to adhere to a high level of personal hygiene and immediately seek medical attention if they felt ill.