Lokiriama- August 20, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The County Government, in collaboration with partners and local leaders, has inaugurated the Cross-Border One Health Committee in Lokiriama Sub-county, this is the last in a series of similar committees formed in Loima, Kibish, Turkana West, and Lokichoggio.
The committees are designed to strengthen cross-border health security and safeguard the well-being of border populations, particularly underserved pastoralist communities that are constantly on the move.
The inception and sensitization of the Lokiriama committee was supported by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), a key partner in strengthening cross-border coordination on health and environmental issues.
Kipkorir Rotich, One Health Project Coordinator, said the committee will extend One Health’s efforts to the grassroots.
“These committees target pastoralists and mobile populations. The Lokiriama team will now handle One Health issues at the sub-county level and inform the county of the support they require,” he stated.
Abdirhaman Musa, Lokiriama Medical Officer of Health, highlighted the broad membership and its role.
“This is the first time we are bringing together a multi-stakeholder team in Lokiriama to coordinate cross-border activities. The committee includes national and county governments’ administration, health and veterinary officers, development partners, peace actors, and community members,” he explained.
Paul Lonyuduk, Ward Administrator Lokiriama-Lorengipi, stressed the importance of local action.
“Human, livestock, and environmental health are interconnected. We face malnutrition, animal diseases, and harmful environmental practices like charcoal burning. Our role as administrators is to coordinate actors to improve community health outcomes,” he expounded.
Fredrick Chepkwony of KRCS PERPARE Project reaffirmed partner support, stating that cross-border One Health work is vital to protect communities in border areas.
“By linking human, animal, and environmental health, we are safeguarding lives while also building peace and resilience,” he added.
Philip Lokwawi, a community elder, pointed to the community’s stake.
“We share resources like food and water with our neighbours from Uganda, and scarcity sometimes brings conflict. This committee will, therefore, build our understanding of cross-cuttng issues like diseases, help us build peace, raise awareness, and strengthen our capacity to detect diseases early and inform authorities in time,” he explained.
By working together—government, partners, and communities— Turkana can set a model for safeguarding health, protecting the environment, and building resilient systems that secure the well-being of pastoralist border populations who are often out of reach.
