Turkana County Launches Mobile App to Break Healthcare Barriers for Deaf Patients
Lodwar, 19 March 2026
Kenya’s second-largest county has introduced groundbreaking technology that costs just 30 shillings per minute to provide real-time sign language interpretation in hospitals. The assistALL app, launched on 18th March 2026, connects over 60 trained healthcare workers with qualified interpreters via mobile devices, eliminating communication barriers for deaf patients across Turkana’s vast 77,000 square kilometre territory. This initiative particularly benefits the county’s diverse population, including over 350,000 refugees at Kakuma camp, whilst creating employment opportunities for sign language interpreters who can now work remotely rather than travelling long distances.
Partnership Drives Digital Healthcare Innovation
The rollout represents a collaborative effort between the Turkana County Government, Signs Media Kenya, and KICTANET, marking a significant advancement in inclusive healthcare delivery [1]. The launch took place at Solmar Hotel in Lodwar on 18th March 2026, where officials demonstrated the technology’s potential to transform patient care [2]. This initiative aligns with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage principles and the 2025 Disability Act, which entitles persons with disabilities to free primary healthcare services [1].
Comprehensive Training Programme Empowers Healthcare Workers
Over 60 healthcare workers across Turkana County have been trained and onboarded onto the assistALL application, enabling them to support the deaf community across all sub-county hospitals [1][2]. The training programme extended beyond technical application use to include disability mainstreaming education, ensuring healthcare officers understand their obligations under disability rights legislation [2]. Dr. Kidalio James, Director for Medical Services, emphasised that “there should be no discrimination in service delivery” and that persons with disabilities are entitled to the same comprehensive services as the general population, including diagnostics, consultations, referrals, and emergency care [1].
Economic Impact and Employment Opportunities
The assistALL platform operates on a per-second billing system, costing as little as 30 Kenyan shillings per minute, making it an affordable solution for healthcare facilities [2]. The application has already demonstrated significant traction with over 20,000 downloads, more than 600 registered interpreters, and over 85,000 minutes of completed calls across its existing implementations [2]. Luke Muleka, Signs Media Founder and Managing Director, highlighted how the remote service model creates consistent employment opportunities for qualified sign language interpreters whilst reducing travel costs [2]. The technology particularly benefits interpreters who previously faced significant transportation expenses to reach remote healthcare facilities across Turkana’s expansive territory.
Broader Regional Implementation and Future Expansion
The assistALL application has been successfully implemented in Nairobi, Busia, and Mandera counties’ hospitals, with Turkana now joining this growing network [1][2]. The app, which was originally developed during the Covid-19 pandemic to bridge communication gaps, has since expanded beyond healthcare into higher education, the judicial system, and banking sectors [2]. Expansion plans include rollout to Garissa County, demonstrating the government’s commitment to scaling inclusive technology solutions across Kenya’s counties [1]. The initiative receives support from the British High Commission’s Digital Access Programme and ICT Authority, which also fund digital literacy training for the deaf community and interpreters in Turkana County through the Enhancing Digital Access and Community Resilience programme [2]. This comprehensive approach ensures that both healthcare providers and deaf patients can effectively utilise the technology whilst strengthening digital skills and economic opportunities across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions.