New Eye Care Initiative Launched to Combat Blindness in Kenya’s Turkana County
Lodwar, 28 August 2026
Turkana County and the Fred Hollows Foundation have launched a four-year programme to tackle avoidable blindness, bringing critical eye-care services to local and refugee communities.
A Regional Drive to Restore Vision
The newly launched North Rift Regional Eye Health Project represents a major step forward in addressing avoidable blindness and vision impairment across Kenya’s second-largest county, which spans 77,000 square kilometres [1]. Officially commenced in July 2026, this four-year initiative is funded by the Australian NGO Corporation (ANCP) through the Department of Foreign Aid and Trade (DFAT) [1]. The project targets several counties in the region, including Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Marsabit, and Mandera, to ensure that remote and vulnerable populations receive critical ophthalmic care [1].
Collaborative Delivery and Health System Integration
To deliver these services effectively, the Fred Hollows Foundation is partnering with local organisations, including the Turkana Christian Development Mission (TCDM) and the PanAfricare Organisation [1]. This collaborative approach aligns with Kenya’s devolved healthcare structure. As Ekaran Ismael, the Deputy Director of Public Health, explained, the Ministry of Health is 100% devolved, meaning that local authorities must work closely with partners, stakeholders, and communities to deliver effective services [1]. Key administrative and clinical coordinators, including County Eyecare Coordinator Samson Lokele and Deputy County Eyecare Coordinator Veronica Etee, are leading the local implementation [1].
Eligibility and How to Access the Services
The eye care services are designed to be highly accessible to both local residents and refugee populations [1]. Specifically, the project focuses its clinical outreach on Turkana South (including Aroo), Turkana East (including Suguta), and Turkana West (including Lokichoggio), alongside the refugee communities living in Kakuma and Kalobeyei [1][GPT]. To access these services, community members can participate in local eye health screenings and specialised surgical camps that will be set up across these target areas [1]. The project is also digitising eye health services, making it easier for healthcare workers to identify eye conditions early and refer patients to the appropriate clinical facilities [1].
Upcoming Activities and Long-Term Deadlines
Following the successful conclusion of the project’s inception meeting on 27 August 2026, a detailed workplan for the 2026/2027 period has been finalised [1]. Key activities scheduled for this upcoming year include sensitising local health workers and the County Assembly, conducting community eye screenings, and running surgical camps [1]. While the immediate workplan is set, stakeholders like Kathreen Ereng, the Deputy Director Legislative Services at the County Assembly, are already advocating for dedicated local budget allocations to ensure the project remains sustainable after the four-year funding period ends [1]. The long-term goal is to transition these eye health interventions to be entirely government-led and community-driven, though the exact deadlines for this transition remain unconfirmed [alert! ‘The specific completion dates for transitioning the project to fully government-led and community-driven models are currently unspecified’] [1].