Turkana Leads Kenya in Disability-Inclusive Disaster Policies
Lodwar, 24 June 2026
Turkana County has become the first in Kenya to revise its disaster and climate policies to explicitly include disabled residents and refugees, setting a national precedent for inclusive emergency planning.
A National First: Turkana’s Policy Overhaul
Turkana County has become the first in Kenya to systematically integrate disability inclusion into its disaster risk management and climate change policies, marking a significant shift in emergency preparedness for both local and refugee populations. The comprehensive review, completed on 23 June 2026, examined three critical documents: the County Climate Change Policy (2021), Climate Change Act (2021), and Disaster Risk Management Policy (2019), with a specific focus on addressing the needs of persons with disabilities in disaster preparedness and climate resilience planning [1]. This policy overhaul comes as Turkana faces escalating climate-related challenges, including the ongoing Lake Turkana backflow situation, which has intensified the urgency for inclusive disaster response systems [1].
Shared Vulnerabilities: Refugees and Host Communities
The policy review holds particular significance for Turkana’s refugee population, which stands at approximately 250,000 individuals across Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps [GPT]. Refugees with disabilities face compounded vulnerabilities during climate emergencies, often experiencing barriers to accessing early warning systems, evacuation routes, and emergency shelters [1]. The updated policies aim to address these disparities by ensuring that disaster preparedness measures are equally accessible to both host communities and refugee populations. This approach reflects Turkana’s unique position as both a host county and a climate-vulnerable region, where droughts and floods affect all residents regardless of nationality [1].
From Policy to Practice: Key Recommendations
The policy review process yielded several critical recommendations that will shape Turkana’s disaster preparedness framework. These include mandatory representation of persons with disabilities in county decision-making structures, collection of disability-disaggregated data to inform emergency planning, and the development of accessible communication systems for early warnings [1]. Additionally, the review emphasised the need for inclusive emergency preparedness drills and climate adaptation programmes that consider the specific needs of persons with disabilities. Mental health and rehabilitation services were also highlighted as essential components of a comprehensive disaster response strategy [1].
Community Consultations: Voices from Kakuma and Kalobeyei
The next phase of Turkana’s inclusive disaster preparedness initiative involves community consultations in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, where refugees with disabilities will have the opportunity to share their experiences and needs [1]. These consultations are designed to ensure that the updated policies translate into practical, on-the-ground improvements in emergency response. Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) from Kang’atosa and Kalokol wards will play a key role in facilitating these discussions, bridging the gap between policy development and community-level implementation [1].
Partnerships for Inclusive Resilience
The policy review was led by the Turkana County Government in partnership with TUPADO (Turkana Pastoralist Development Organisation) and CBM Global Disability Inclusion. TUPADO’s Turkana Inclusive Livelihood and Resilience Programme (TILRP II) has been instrumental in supporting vulnerable communities through inclusive development approaches [1]. CBM Global Disability Inclusion provided technical expertise on aligning county policies with disability-inclusive practices throughout the disaster risk management cycle [1]. The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) also contributed to the review, emphasising the heightened risks faced by persons with disabilities during disasters and climate emergencies [1].
A Model for Kenya and Beyond
Turkana’s disability-inclusive policy review sets a precedent for other counties in Kenya and refugee-hosting regions globally. By explicitly addressing the intersection of disability, displacement, and climate vulnerability, Turkana is pioneering an approach that recognises the shared challenges faced by host communities and refugees [1]. The county’s efforts align with Kenya’s commitments under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which call for inclusive and accessible disaster risk reduction strategies [GPT]. As climate change continues to exacerbate vulnerabilities in arid and semi-arid regions, Turkana’s model offers a blueprint for building resilience that leaves no one behind [1].