Lodwar- September 11, 2025 (Governor’s Press Service)
The Deputy Governor, Dr John Erus has urged development partners to strengthen data-driven interventions in health, nutrition, and child protection during a meeting with a delegation from Save the Children led by Country Director for Kenya and Madagascar, Jib Rabiltossaporn.
Dr Erus said the County Government, under Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, has translated child protection policies into action by engaging multiple partner organisations. He cited the provision of nutrition supplements to all Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres as one of the key outcomes.
Raising concern about Turkana’s malaria prevalence rate of 37 per cent – one of the highest in the country – Dr Erus called on partners to invest in evidence-based health interventions. He said the County was applying a multi-sectoral approach, including the One Health programme, resource-sharing initiatives, and coordination of livestock support along transhumance corridors.
He noted that Turkana has been co-creating programmes with partners, which helped cushion communities from the impact of recent funding cuts by the American government, “We are committed to filling the gaps and continuing co-creation with our partners,” he said.
On the Shirika Plan, Dr Erus highlighted Turkana’s fragile ecosystem and the challenge of finding long-term water solutions for both refugees and host communities. He said the county had set aside funds for the initial works on a proposed dam along the Tarach River, noting that partners have struggled with the water challenge in Turkana West for more than three decades. He urged a measured approach to refugee integration, warning against hurried decisions prompted by funding shortfalls.
Save the Children Country Director Rabiltossaporn said Turkana remained a strategic priority because of its geographic position and unique challenges. She emphasised that successful refugee-host integration required close collaboration with the County Government. She reaffirmed Save the Children’s commitment to scale up interventions and sustain its presence in the county despite funding constraints.
Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Janerose Tioko praised the support provided in strengthening health services, including mentorship of community health officers in child nutrition and services. She said the One Health initiative had improved the treatment of zoonotic diseases, immunisation, antenatal care, and WASH interventions, alongside social services such as national ID registration.
CCO Tioko appealed for continued support in measles vaccination and malaria control, warning that cases had risen to 188 per 1,000 people due to the emergence of a new malaria vector in Turkana.
Other county officials at the meeting included County Secretary Amb. Dr. Richard Ekai, Director for Planning, Policy and Monitoring and Evaluation, James Lobokan, Director of Nutrition, Saada Loyokon, Deputy Director of Livestock Development, Josephine Emase, Blue Economy and Fisheries representative Namuya David, and Fisheries Officer Tia Emmanuel.
The Save the Children team included: Director of Program Operations Evelia Anthony; Program Manager, Turkana Area Office Abdalla Shariff; Health Systems Adviser Lominito Lomoru; and Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Lodwar Akutan Lobolia.
