Kenya's Largest County Launches Campaign Against Preventable Blindness Disease
Lodwar, 8 May 2026
Turkana County has initiated a comprehensive fight against trachoma, a preventable eye disease that causes blindness if untreated. The campaign targets children and pregnant women across 77,000 square kilometres, including refugee camps hosting displaced populations. Health surveys revealed alarmingly high infection rates in affected areas, prompting this urgent intervention.
Strategic Partnership Forms Foundation for Mass Treatment
On 7 May 2026, the Turkana County Government conducted a two-day microplanning session in collaboration with The Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF), targeting both County and Sub-County Health Management Teams [1]. The session brought together Medical Officers of Health, eye care coordinators, pharmacists, and public health officers from Turkana North and Kibish sub-counties [1]. Agnes Mana, Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services, emphasised the critical nature of such partnerships: “Support from partners such as FHF remains critical to the well-being of our communities, especially at a time when many programmes have been affected by reduced funding” [1].
Alarming Survey Results Drive Urgent Response
A Surveillance Survey and Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness conducted between 2024 and 2025 in Turkana North and Kibish sub-counties revealed a high prevalence of Trachoma Trachiasis (TT) and Trachomatous Inflammation–Follicular (TF) [1]. These findings provided the evidence base for the targeted intervention, with Sarah Olalo, FHF Technical Advisor, highlighting the importance of evidence-based planning based on surveys identifying hotspot areas [1]. The survey results underscore the urgent need for intervention in these specific geographical areas, where trachoma poses a significant threat to community eye health [1].
Mass Drug Administration Campaign Set for Late May
A three-day TF Targeted Drug Administration (TDA) campaign is scheduled to commence on 25 May 2026 in Turkana North and Kibish sub-counties, targeting 100 per cent coverage [1]. The campaign will focus specifically on Kokuro and Lokitaung locations in Turkana North and Lapur Ward in Kibish [1]. County Eye Care Coordinator Samson Lokele explained the strategic approach: “We are focusing on the most affected areas and prioritising children between six months and nine years to ensure we interrupt transmission and protect future generations from avoidable blindness” [1]. The TDA will target children aged zero months to nine years and expectant mothers, using Azithromycin tablets for children aged 8-9 years, Azithromycin syrup for those aged 6 months to 7 years, and 1% Tetracycline Eye Ointment for infants aged 0-6 months and pregnant women [1].
Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure for Sustained Impact
The initiative extends beyond immediate drug administration to address systemic healthcare challenges. The FHF team presented new financial management and documentation procedures, based on a successful model from Embu County, aimed at improving efficiency in programme implementation [1]. County Health Management Team members and sub-county eye care teams received capacity building on financial management during the microplanning session [1]. Samson Lokele called for stronger institutional support, stating: “As we strengthen eye health services, it is important that sub-county eye care coordinators are formally recognised and integrated within the Sub-County Health Management Teams. This will improve coordination, accountability, and service delivery at the grassroots level” [1]. Rotich Kipkorir, Deputy Director for Strategic Health Programmes, highlighted the commitment to achieving 100% coverage by working with community stakeholders [1]. Daniel Esimit, Director for Preventive and Promotive Health Services, assured commitment to addressing operational challenges and improving coordination [1].