Kakuma – November 19, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Turkana West is home to more than half a million people, half of Turkana’s total population, comprising both host and refugee communities who rely heavily on a strong, community-centred health system. To strengthen Early Childhood Development (ECD), a comprehensive training on Nurturing Care and the Instructive Manual for Community Health Promoters (CHPs), Child Protection Volunteers (CPVs), and Safe Motherhood Promoters (SMPs) has been rolled out.
This initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Health and Sanitation and Amref Health Africa through the Tucheze Tustawi project, is designed to guide teams in delivering play and communication interventions for children aged three years and below at both community and household levels.
So far, 190 CHPs from 14 Community Health Units in Turkana West Sub-County have been trained. These teams interact most closely with families and are now fully equipped to guide caregivers and support children from conception to eight years. The county and sub-county health management teams, who received earlier training, are overseeing the grassroots exercise.
“Nurturing care begins at the household level, and CHPs are our strongest link to families,” said Dr Fatuma Rajab, the County Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Coordinator. “This training builds a stronger foundation for our children’s health, learning, and future success,”
The community-based teams are learning how to support caregivers in ensuring good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, early learning, and safe environments.
“Our goal is to help every caregiver understand how play and communication shape a child’s brain development, heal traumatic experiences in both humanitarian and host settings, and strengthen a child’s social and emotional skills,” said Reinhard Anzeze, Child Health Technical Officer at Amref Tucheze Tustawi.
Anzeze added that, together with the county government, they are building a system that enables young children, at a sensitive and critical stage of life—to fully develop and thrive.
For CHPs working on the ground, the training is already sparking new conversations with families. Many say they now feel more confident guiding parents on simple, everyday play activities that support a child’s growth and wellbeing.
“In Kalobeyei, many young mothers want to do the right thing but lack information,” shared Ekale Etot, a CHP from Kalobeyei Ward. “I just learned that mothers can speak to their unborn child during pregnancy and even play with them. I also learned how to make simple toys from recycled materials. I cannot wait to show the mothers how to do the same,”
Similarly, Samwel Lochipo from Kangagetei Ber village in Kalobeyei noted that the training shifted his perception, as he previously viewed child care as solely a mother’s responsibility. “I am now confident to speak to fellow men and fathers in the village about how vital proper hygiene practices are to their child’s development and safety,”
Lucy Kapus, the Community Health Officer at Kalobeyei Health Centre, observed that CHPs have been very receptive, with some even bringing homemade toys and eager to make more.
“In Kakuma, we see many children at risk of developmental delays,” noted Rachael Areng, a CHP from Towokayenisi village in Kakuma Ward. “We have been sensitized on the role nutritious food plays in child development. I also did not know that different age groups require different types of toys,”
Nancy Atieno, Community Health Officer at Kakuma Sub-County Hospital, agreed, noting that the training has boosted creativity. “The CHPs have even composed songs for different age groups. At first, older male CHPs struggled with the idea of integrating play into care. They are now eager to learn and are even bringing toys from home,”
Louren Kalemapus, the Community Health Assistant at Oropoi Dispensary, observed that combining health and nutrition discussions during household visits allows CHPs to better gauge developmental milestones through play. “By noticing which toys attract a child’s interest, a CHP can quickly identify if a child is lagging behind, which will significantly help improve child health indicators in Oropoi,” she noted.
“In Letea, parents sometimes think only food matters,” added Ayanae Ekamais, a mother from Letea Ward. “My CHP explained to me this week that talking to, holding, and responding to a child is just as important as feeding them.”
Gabriel Lopodo, Deputy Director, Family Health Program highlighted that in addition to play and communication, CHPs were also sensitized on best practices in nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), child development, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, and the use of eCHIS for tracking developmental milestones.
“This coordinated effort is expected to create long-term improvements in child wellbeing across Turkana West,” he said.
Story by: Esther Mwangi, Assistant Director, Public Communication and Media Relations
