New Hygiene Scheme Tackles Period Poverty for Refugee Girls in Kenya
Kakuma, 31 August 2026
Turkana County has partnered with Days for Girls Kenya to distribute over 2,800 reusable menstrual kits, tackling period poverty and school absenteeism for refugee and host community girls.
A Targeted Distribution Strategy
To ensure that the initiative reaches those most in need, the Turkana County Government and Days for Girls Kenya have structured a dual-channel distribution framework [1]. Under this plan, 40 per cent of the total 2,826 washable kits—amounting to 1,130 kits, calculated as 1130.4—will be systematically distributed directly to local schools [1]. The remaining 60 per cent, which equates to 1,696 kits, calculated as 1695.6, will be distributed through regional health facilities and targeted community-level interventions [1]. This deliberate split is designed to support both school-going girls and out-of-school young women, thereby reducing the risk of infections caused by unhygienic materials [1].
Eligibility and How to Access the Service
The programme is specifically designed for girls and young women living within the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the surrounding host communities, including Kalobeyei [1]. To access these free reusable menstrual health kits, eligible individuals do not need to undergo a complex application process; instead, kits will be provided directly through participating local schools and public health facilities in the Turkana West sub-county [1]. Ahead of the physical rollout, Days for Girls Kenya is organising sub-county-level stakeholder meetings across Turkana West to coordinate the exact distribution dates for each locality [1]. Beneficiaries and families are advised to contact local community health workers or school administrators to find out when the distribution will arrive at their nearest centre [1].
Key Deadlines and Educational Support
This joint initiative officially launched on 31 August 2026, exactly one month after both parties formalised their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2026 [1]. The distribution and educational campaign will run continuously until its scheduled closing deadline in December 2026 [1]. Because the programme pairs the physical kits with age-appropriate menstrual health education, receiving a kit also involves participating in short, informative sessions led by trained facilitators [1]. Furthermore, the programme actively includes local men and boys in these discussions to build a supportive, period-friendly environment across the wider community [1].
Administrative Integration and Oversight
To ensure transparency and long-term sustainability, Turkana Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus has directed that the programme align strictly with national menstrual health education guidelines [1]. Days for Girls Kenya is also formally integrating its operations with the Directorate of Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation [1]. This integration ensures the project is mapped within KIMIS, the county’s new digital information management system designed to track development partner contributions in the refugee sector [1]. By digitalising these efforts, local authorities aim to monitor kit distribution in real-time, ensuring resources are distributed efficiently and without duplication before the project concludes in December 2026 [1].