International Rescue Committee Ends Emergency Health Programme in Turkana County
Lodwar, 9 April 2026
The IRC’s integrated emergency response programme in Turkana County officially concluded on 8 April 2026 after running from June 2024 to March 2025, targeting malnutrition and drought impact reduction in Kenya’s second-largest county.
Programme Outcomes and Transition Planning
Dr. Esekon Joseph Epem, County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Services, hosted a delegation from the International Rescue Committee and UNICEF on 8 April 2026 to discuss the programme’s close-out and future sustainability measures [1]. The meeting brought together key stakeholders including Dr. Ekiru Kidalio, Director of Medical Services, Agnes Mana, County Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, and Joshua Rutto, Turkana Area Manager for IRC [1]. The programme, which ran from June 2024 to March 2025, specifically targeted malnutrition reduction, drought impact mitigation, and mortality reduction in Turkana County [1]. Despite the programme’s conclusion, significant challenges remain in the region, with Turkana having the highest poverty index in Kenya, where 82% of the population lives below the poverty line [1].
Critical Health Registration Gap Identified
A concerning healthcare access gap emerged during the close-out discussions, with only approximately 2% of Turkana’s population currently registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) [1]. Dr. Epem emphasised the urgent need to scale up registration, particularly among refugee populations who face additional barriers to healthcare access [1]. This low registration rate presents significant challenges for healthcare delivery in a county that hosts both Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps [GPT]. The County Government is actively developing a transition plan and reviewing policies to ensure greater inclusivity for both refugee and host communities moving forward [1].
Sustainability Concerns and Funding Challenges
Dr. Epem highlighted the interconnected nature of malnutrition and food insecurity, stating that ‘malnutrition is a reflection of food insecurity’ and calling for co-funding and co-creation approaches to ensure programme sustainability [1]. The county faces significant constraints due to reduced donor funding, which threatens the continuation of essential health services [1]. Despite these financial pressures, Dr. Kidalio reinforced the county’s commitment to healthcare provision, emphasising that ‘health is a fundamental human right, and it is our duty to safeguard our population despite the reduction in donor funding’ [1]. The county, working with partners, plans to conduct mass screening exercises despite the funding constraints [1].
Future Intervention Coordination
Joshua Rutto, representing IRC’s Turkana operations, acknowledged progress made during the programme while noting that ‘the nutrition situation still requires sustained support, especially in addressing commodity gaps and reaching the most vulnerable’ [1]. The emphasis on streamlining interventions and strengthening coordination with devolved systems reflects lessons learned from the concluded programme [1]. Gladys Arika, Director of Clinical Services under KISEDP, confirmed that the County Government continues working on comprehensive transition plans to maintain service delivery continuity [1]. The programme’s conclusion marks the end of a significant humanitarian intervention in Kenya’s second-largest county, spanning 77,000 square kilometres in the north-western region [1].