The highly transmissible coronavirus delta variant may spark a fourth wave of infections in Kenya over the next two months, according to the East African nation's Health Ministry.

The contagious strain, first identified in India, is dominant in western Kenya, where it was initially identified in the country. The government imposed restrictions on movement in the region to try and stem it from spreading nationwide.

"If there's a fourth wave in July-August, it will most likely be due to delta," said Patrick Amoth, the acting director-general for Health at the ministry. Restrictions in western Kenya were imposed to try and "avoid a catastrophic fourth wave," Amoth submits.

A new wave in Kenya would follow surges in cases in several African countries, including South Africa, Uganda and Namibia. In South Africa, where the delta variant is dominant in the commercial hub of Gauteng, President Cyril Ramaphosa tightened restriction measures. Uganda closed its parliament for a fortnight.

Infection cycles could continue for a longer period in Africa as it lags behind the rest of the world in vaccination amid a shortage of doses, logistical challenges and hesitancy.

Kenya had 183,603 confirmed COVID cases and 3,621 deaths as of June 29, according to the Health Ministry. About 1.3 million people have been inoculated so far, of which 328,848 received their second doses.

The alpha variant, first identified in the U.K., dominated Kenya's third wave which peaked in March-April. The beta strain, first detected in South Africa, and alpha account for about 70 percent of the cases in Kenya's capital, Nairobi currently according to Amoth.

(With input from agencies)