New Three-Year Partnership to Support Women's Health in Turkana
Kakuma, 5 August 2026
Turkana County has partnered with Days for Girls Kenya to provide essential menstrual and postpartum health kits to 4,000 vulnerable refugee and host-community women.
Immediate Rollout and Distribution Targets
The three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 3 August 2026, marks a major step forward for women’s health in the region [2]. Under this agreement, Days for Girls Kenya (DfGK) and the Turkana County Government aim to provide custom-made menstrual and postpartum dignity kits to up to 4,000 women and girls [1][2]. In the first six months of the rollout, which begins immediately, the project will distribute hygiene kits to 2,426 women and girls living in the Kakuma refugee camp and the Kalobeyei integrated settlement [1][2]. Additionally, 800 postpartum mothers from the local host community are set to receive specialised maternal recovery kits [1][2]. This brings the total number of initial beneficiaries to 3226 individuals during the first phase of implementation.
Leadership and Educational Advocacy
The agreement was officially signed by Turkana County Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus and Days for Girls Country Program Manager Annette Muchendiza [1][2]. The strategic collaboration focuses not only on physical kit distribution but also on reproductive health education. By deploying an internationally recognised health education curriculum, the partnership seeks to tackle social stigma and change regional perceptions surrounding menstruation and postpartum recovery [1][2]. Key regional officials, including Gladys Arika and Imoit Seamus Ekuwam, witnessed the launch and will assist in overseeing its regional integration [1][2].
How to Access Services and Eligibility Criteria
To access these health services and dignity kits, individuals must meet specific eligibility criteria. The programme is designed specifically for adolescent girls and women residing within the Kakuma refugee camp and the Kalobeyei integrated settlement, as well as postpartum mothers within the local Turkana host community [1][2]. Because the distribution is highly targeted, local community leaders and health representatives will help identify eligible recipients who require menstrual hygiene support or childbirth recovery materials [1][2].
Practical Step-by-Step Access
In terms of practical access, beneficiaries do not need to apply through a complex application process. Instead, Deputy Governor Dr. Erus has directed Days for Girls Kenya to integrate its operations directly into the County Steering Group (CSG) framework [1][2]. This means the distribution and educational training sessions will be coordinated through established local sector working groups and community-led health structures [1][2]. Residents should contact their local community health workers or visit regional health centres within the settlements to find out when distribution drives and training sessions will take place in their specific sectors [1][2][GPT].
Project Timeline and Long-Term Objectives
The partnership is structured as a long-term commitment spanning three years, starting in August 2026 [1][2]. The initial distribution phase will run for the first six months [1][2]. Throughout this period, the project will collect essential field data to help design future public health interventions and advocate for the permanent integration of menstrual and postpartum health services into broader regional humanitarian programmes [1][2]. There are no strict individual application deadlines, but eligible residents are encouraged to engage with local health coordinators early during this initial six-month rollout to ensure they are registered for the upcoming distributions [1][2][GPT].