Kakuma – May 17, 2026 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Over 160 teachers and school health club patrons from 84 schools converged in Kakuma for a training on spearheading hygiene promotion in schools.
This is aimed at strengthening existing school health systems and addressing WASH gaps. Participants included 32 teachers from Lokichoggio, 74 from the host community in Turkana West, 42 from Kakuma Refugee Camp, and 20 from Turkana North.
The training, led by the sub-county teams and International Rescue Committee (IRC) under the TeachWell Project, was preceded by a three-day water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) spot-check exercise conducted in 10 selected schools across the three sub-counties. This project is funded by Lego and Grundfos foundations.
The project seeks to institutionalise school health clubs, actively involve learners in hygiene promotion, create conducive and safe learning environments, and strengthen schools’ capacity to use and maintain donated WASH facilities.
Reuben Kibiego, County WASH Coordinator, urged participants to fully utilise the training and become champions of hygiene promotion in their respective schools.
“You are here to increase your knowledge on WASH principles, promote healthy hygiene behaviours, and learn how to prevent waterborne and hygiene-related diseases through hygiene education. You are also expected to promote gender-sensitive and inclusive WASH practices while encouraging participation from all stakeholders,” he said.
According to Mercy Amdany, a WASH Officer at IRC, teacher transfers over the past three years since the start of the ongoing five-year project have affected programme sustainability and continuity of knowledge transfer.
“To ensure the project runs smoothly moving forward, two patrons were selected from each school for training so that if one teacher is transferred, the other remains behind to sustain the programme,” she explained.
The training also provided an opportunity for educators to learn from one another, strengthen support systems, and adopt best practices through cross-learning and collaboration.
Ruth Kwamboka, a newly appointed patron from Unity Primary School in Kakuma Refugee Camp, said the training had equipped her with practical skills to revive the school’s health club.
“As a first-time trainee in this programme, I will use the knowledge and skills acquired to revive the school health club in our school, which is currently inactive. I was recently transferred together with the Deputy Head Teacher, and we are committed to rebuilding the club and actively involving learners,” she said.
Jibril Lokiru, a long-serving patron at St. Michael Loritit Primary School in Turkana West, noted that the project has played a significant role in sustaining hygiene sensitisation efforts through the involvement of teachers, community health workers, and Boards of Management.
“Teachers play a critical role in helping learners understand the importance of personal hygiene. The inclusion of more teachers in the programme is a major step toward sustainability. Through cross-learning, we have even supported Letea Primary School with clean water initiatives,” he said.
Emmanuel Mfutu from Naduat DEB Integrated Primary and Junior School, who has participated in the programme for two years, said the project has positively impacted both the academic and social wellbeing of learners, especially girls.
“Through the provision of sanitation facilities and continuous sensitisation, we have eliminated open defecation in our school. Health clubs have empowered learners to become agents of change even at home, where they are helping transform community practices. Girls are now more confident discussing menstrual health due to ongoing awareness and peer support programmes,” he said.
Medical Officers of Health present during the training called upon teachers and healthcare workers to remain vigilant in maintaining public health standards within learning institutions to guarantee learner safety.
Joel Lochor, the Medical Officer of Health for Turkana North, emphasised the importance of maintaining clean school environments. “We must prioritise approved health standards in every school by ensuring litter is properly collected and disposed of, sanitary towels are discarded safely, and toilets, classrooms, dormitories, and school compounds remain clean at all times,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Samuel Ipaso, the Turkana West Director of Education called on the educators to do priorities safeguarding the wellbeing of learners. “If you do not adhere to the required standard in safeguarding the well-being of learners, you should not be operational,”
Also present during the training were Dalmas Lokok (MOH, Lokichoggio), Peter Mutinda, Nancy Birech and Becky Maidei from Health Promotions, Evans Emuria (PHO, Turkana North), Joel Erika (PHO, Lokichoggio), and Alex Gai (PHO, Turkana West), among other focal persons and WASH coordinators. IRC WASH officers including Maurice Emman, John Enyang, Silus Korima, and Faith Mathenge, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer at IRC, also attended the event.
