Lokori – April 2, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

Ayanae Apukae, a 75-year-old grandmother, arrived at the Lokori eye medical camp totally blind in one eye and partially in the other, walking behind her granddaughter, who was leading her. She was filled with mixed emotions—fear and hope. Fear because the myth in her village is that surgery may lead to loss of sight, and hope of regaining her sight and finally being able to attend weddings and watch her great-grandchildren grow.

What began as a painful, itchy feeling around her eye in May 2025 slowly led to total blindness in her left eye and, by December 2025, affected her right eye, leaving only light perception, where she could see shadows of people and objects without truly seeing them. Today, she has completed two successful surgeries and regained sight in both eyes.

“For many months, I would depend on other people to move from one point to another. If there was nobody around and I was seated in one place in the morning, the sun would find me in that spot. I am so thrilled that I can see again—trees, people, houses, livestock, hills—I can see again,” exclaimed Apukae.

Her story is not unique, it is shared by thousands across Turkana.

According to the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness survey, 2024 (RAAB), Turkana has a prevalence of avoidable blindness of around 6.2%, higher than the national average of 2.8%. The survey also highlights that cataract surgical coverage is about 26%, far below the WHO-recommended 80%. People over 50 years of age account for 80% of all blindness cases in Turkana.

The survey further indicates that for every 100 people who need reading glasses, only two have access to them. In Turkana, near-vision spectacle coverage stands at just 0.1%, which is almost non-existent (RAAB).

Today, Apukae and over 60 other patients in Lokori sleep with ease and without fear of permanently losing their sight, after undergoing successful corrective cataract and other surgeries.

The Lokori Eye Medical Camp is among eight planned eye surgical camps this quarter by the County Government in collaboration with the Fred Hollows Foundation. So far, camps have been successfully conducted in Lokichoggio, Katilu, and Lokori, with five more planned in Turkana Central, Turkana South (Lokichar), and Turkana East (Elelea).

This week in Lokori, a total of 196 people were screened, with 50 cataract surgeries and 14 other surgeries such as Conjunctival Excition, Conjunctival growth, and Keratectomy, were completed. Prior to the eye camp, a total of 370 people had been screened in 47 villages across Lokori.

Veronicah Etee, the County Acting Eye Coordinator, highlighted that the leading causes of blindness in Turkana are cataract, corneal opacities, and glaucoma, while the leading causes of visual impairment are refractive errors and cataract.

She further noted that Turkana records approximately 2,000 new cases of blindness and visual impairment annually, with nearly 900 patients dying before accessing corrective surgeries. The County Government estimates it may take about a decade to clear the current backlog of cases.

Etee added that key barriers to cataract surgery include misinformation, fear of surgical outcomes, cost, lack of awareness that treatment is possible, infrastructural challenges, and the mobility limitations of elderly populations, particularly within nomadic communities.

“Our target for each camp is at least 100 cataract surgeries. However, we conducted 61 surgeries in Katilu with 155 screened patients, and 49 in Lopiding, Lokichoggio, where 384 patients were screened. Most people in need of corrective surgeries do not show up,” said Etee.

The team addresses these challenges through continuous community sensitisation, dialogue, and mother-and-child engagement to improve awareness and encourage health-seeking behaviour.

With access challenges still evident, the County Government and partners are increasingly reaching hard-to-reach areas, including a camp held in Suguta, Turkana East, in December.

“Most of our patients take too long to seek services, and by the time they come, the cataract is often at an advanced stage. It is also challenging to track patients for post-operative care due to their migratory lifestyle,” Etee added.

To improve service delivery, the County Government, in partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation, established an eye-care workshop at Lodwar County Referral Hospital to manufacture spectacles locally. This has reduced the turnaround time for screening, diagnosis, and dispensing of spectacles to just 24 hours. This was supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Essilor.

While cataract remains a major burden, Trachoma Trichiasis (TT) indicators have significantly improved, with prevalence dropping from 56.6% to 9.9%. Eye-care workers have also been trained on refractive error management to strengthen diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Mbugua Edwin, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Lokitaung Sub-County Hospital and Lead Surgeon at the camp, explained that outreach programmes attract patients from across the county with a wide range of eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, trauma-related injuries, and infections linked to the region’s harsh environment.

He noted that while various conditions are managed, the outreach primarily focuses on cataract and selected glaucoma procedures, as they are the leading causes of vision impairment.

Each patient undergoes a thorough process, from screening and diagnosis to counselling, consent, and surgical planning, before being taken to theatre. Cataract surgery involves replacing the damaged natural lens with an artificial one, followed by close post-operative care, including overnight observation due to long travel distances.

He emphasised that counselling is critical in addressing fear and stigma, ensuring patient cooperation, and improving outcomes, with follow-up care and community reintegration forming part of recovery.

“The most fulfilling moment is the next day after surgery, when we remove the bandage and the patient can see again. They smile extensively, and you can truly see the impact of restoring sight from their excitement,” he said.

Ayanae Sarah, Eye Service Coordinator for Turkana East and Suguta, who leads community mobilisation and health talks ahead of eye camps, explained that outreach success depends on early planning and strong community engagement through Community Health Promoters and local leaders.

They help identify and prepare patients in advance, while also supporting those, especially the elderly, who require home visits and additional assistance to access services.

She noted that building trust is critical, as some communities are initially hesitant to embrace eye care services. “Once we successfully treat one cataract case in a village, it becomes easier. The rest of the community gains confidence and comes forward for care,” she said.

Apukae expressed her gratitude to the healthcare workers and surgeons who restored her sight. “I am grateful to the doctors for taking care of me and all these other people and changing our lives,” she said.

Samuel Mwangi, a pastor in Lokori, shared that regaining his eyesight has restored his independence, especially in his leadership role. “When I walked in, the surgeons opened with a word of prayer, and that made me relaxed. I would like to bless the team for helping me see well after three years of struggle. Today is different—a new beginning,” he said.

Brandy Kapua, a Grade Six student inspired to become a surgeon, spoke of her renewed confidence after years of discomfort. “I can now read again. I will go back to school and tell my friends not to be afraid because the doctors are kind and there is no pain,” she said.

Kerio Thericho, a 72-year-old patient, admitted she once feared surgery. “I used to say I would never try. But today, after a successful surgery, I am now an ambassador. I will encourage other elderly women to overcome fear and seek help,” she said.

Echur Lotende, a 52-year-old man who lost his sight in the past five months, said community outreach helped him overcome fear. “My friends will see me and be encouraged to seek help. I am now motivated to continuously seek health services,” he said.

Ekai Tong’oriak, a 70-year-old herder who had lived with cloudy vision for years, said the intervention brought relief. “I came for medication, but when I learned surgery could permanently help me, I accepted. I slept well for the first time in a long time,” he said.

Story by: Mwangi Esther Njeri, Assistant Director, Public Communications and Media Relations