Turkana County Plans Massive Health Campaign to Tackle Eye Disease Affecting Two-Thirds of Population
Lodwar, 12 March 2026
Kenya’s second-largest county is preparing for a critical mass drug administration campaign in May 2026 to combat neglected tropical diseases, particularly trachoma, which affected 67.6% of residents in Turkana West according to baseline surveys. The initiative targets both local communities and refugee populations across 77,000 square kilometres, following previous campaigns that achieved mixed results with coverage ranging from 55.6% to 87.2% across different demographics. Eight WHO-certified surgeons now operate across the region, whilst community health workers prepare for comprehensive household registration to ensure maximum reach in this challenging terrain.
Learning from Past Challenges
The microplanning meeting held on 12 March 2026 in Turkana West brought together County and Sub-County Health Management Teams from Turkana West and Lokichoggio to address significant gaps identified in previous campaigns [1]. Coverage data from the most recent Mass Drug Administration revealed concerning shortfalls: only 65.4% of children under six months were reached, alongside 55.6% of children under seven years, whilst 87.2% of people over seven years and 71.5% of pregnant women received treatment [1]. These figures highlight the particular challenge of reaching the county’s most vulnerable populations, including infants and expectant mothers who require specialised care approaches.
Strategic Preparations for May Campaign
The upcoming May 2026 campaign will distribute Azithromycin tablets for adults, Azithromycin Powder for Oral Suspension for children, and Tetracycline eye ointment, all procured through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) [1]. Drug supplies are expected to arrive in mid-April 2026, providing health teams with adequate time for final preparations [1]. Veronicah Etee, Acting County Coordinator for Eye Care Services, emphasised that “the microplanning process helps us identify underserved areas and tailor strategies that ensure every eligible person is reached” [1]. The campaign represents one of three additional Mass Drug Administration rounds planned by the county, supported by comprehensive household registration conducted by Community Health Promoters [1].
Addressing Refugee and Host Community Needs
Director for Preventive and Promotive Health Services Daniel Esimit highlighted the importance of covering both host and refugee populations, stating that teams must “strengthen mapping of migratory communities and ensure both host and refugee populations are covered” [1]. This dual focus addresses the unique challenges of Turkana County, which hosts significant refugee populations in Kakuma and Kalobeyei settlements whilst serving nomadic and semi-nomadic local communities [1]. The comprehensive approach requires detailed movement pattern analysis to achieve the county’s ambitious target of 100% coverage across all eligible demographics [1].
Building Medical Infrastructure for Long-term Success
Turkana County has significantly expanded its medical capacity since the 2010 baseline survey, with eight WHO-certified trachoma trichiasis surgeons now serving across all 11 sub-counties [1]. Recent surgical interventions in November 2025 provided free trachoma surgeries to 24 patients in Turkana North and 38 patients in Kibish, demonstrating the county’s commitment to addressing severe cases requiring immediate intervention [1]. A 2024 survey identified 102 unmanaged trachoma trichiasis cases in Turkana West and Lokichoggio, all of which have since been treated [1]. The county has implemented over 40 rounds of Mass Drug Administration between 2011 and 2024, following the World Health Organisation’s SAFE strategy of Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial hygiene, and Environmental sanitation [1].