By Edward Lyomu | Mulembe Times | July 15, 2025
Urologists based in Nyahururu town have raised the alarm over an unusual rise in cases of undescended testis (cryptorchidism) among children in Nyandarua and Laikipia Counties, saying the trend points to a possible public health concern that requires urgent attention and community awareness.
Speaking at a free medical camp held at Pearl Hospital in Nyahururu, urologists Dr. Priscila Maina and Dr. Dismus Kazimoto revealed that health facilities in the region are seeing more cases of the condition, with new diagnoses reported nearly every week.
“We have many cases of undescended testis in children here. It is worrying, and from what we are observing, Nyandarua and Laikipia appear to have the highest prevalence of this condition in Kenya,” said Dr. Maina.
Undescended testis is a condition where one or both of a baby boy’s testicles fail to move into the scrotum before birth. According to Dr. Maina, the testicles form inside the abdomen during early fetal development and usually descend into the scrotal sac in the later stages of pregnancy.
“When the testes fail to descend, they may remain anywhere along the path from the abdomen to the scrotum — in the upper abdomen, inguinal canal, or just outside the scrotal area,” she explained.
The doctors emphasized that most parents are unaware of the condition, which can only be detected during a thorough physical examination — a factor contributing to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Kazimoto noted that while premature birth is a major risk factor for undescended testis, other environmental or genetic causes might be contributing to the high incidence in these two counties.
“Prematurity is often associated with this condition, but we suspect there could be other underlying causes unique to this region. Further studies are needed,” he stated.
Dr. Maina warned that failure to treat the condition early — ideally before the age of two — increases the risk of testicular cancer, infertility, and trauma.
“We’re urging mothers, especially in rural settings, to regularly palpate the scrotum during baby baths to check for the presence of both testicles,” she said. “If a testis feels missing or is not easily felt, they should seek medical attention immediately.”
The doctors made the remarks during a free surgical and screening camp focusing on hernias and undescended testis, an event that drew dozens of families from Nyandarua, Laikipia, and neighboring counties.
The Ministry of Health has yet to release official data comparing the prevalence of undescended testis across Kenyan counties, but local health professionals say the pattern in Nyandarua and Laikipia justifies targeted awareness campaigns and routine neonatal screenings.
Health advocates are now calling for:
- Increased parental education in antenatal and postnatal clinics
- Routine pediatric checkups for testis palpation
- Government-supported research into regional environmental or dietary factors
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that undescended testis affects about 3% of full-term male infants globally, but the condition is more prevalent — up to 30% — in preterm births. If untreated, it can significantly affect male reproductive health in adulthood.
For now, local doctors say early detection and simple surgical correction, known as orchiopexy, can fully resolve the issue and minimize future complications.
