The number of COVID-19 infections in Kenya has neared the 170,000 mark as the country braces for a possible eruption of a fourth wave.

According to the country's Ministry of Health, the number of confirmed cases rose to 169,356 after 431 new infections were reported on Wednesday.

Health minister Mutahi Kagwe earlier urged relevant authorities to step up preparations ahead of an expected spike of the Indian coronavirus variant already detected in the country.

"We are asking county governments to prepare themselves particularly with the supply of oxygen and piping the hospital wards and being prepared with a supply of oxygen beyond what we currently have. I am asking all county governments to increase capacity beyond what we currently have," Kagwe said .

"The Indian variant is a lot more dangerous than the South African variant or the British variant which we have been dealing with," the minister cautioned.

The ministry of health also announced ten new virus-related deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 3,097.

In efforts to contain the pandemic, the Kenyan government has imposed various measures including a nationwide nighttime curfew, a ban on large public gatherings and a mandatory wearing of face masks.

A national vaccination exercise is also currently underway. By Wednesday, some 960,379 jabs had been administered, with persons aged 58 years and above accounting for the larger share.