Turkana: Turkana county on Wednesday flagged off a consignment of essential medical supplies worth Sh120 million, reinforcing its commitment to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services across the county. The supplies, flagged off by Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus, will be distributed to 234 health facilities in all the 11 sub-counties and are expected to last for the next eight months.
According to Kenya News Agency, the last batch of health products, received in July 2025, had been projected to last until September. In anticipation, the Department of Health took a proactive approach by quantifying and placing the current order, which includes pharmaceuticals, non-pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and laboratory reagents. This financial year, the department has allocated Sh355 million to Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) and vaccines, a Sh55 million increase from the previous budget. This is in fulfillment of the Governor's fourth agenda on health services and sanitation.
"This event underscores our strategic and unwavering commitment to improving availability, access, and quality of healthcare services and other lifesaving interventions to all the residents of Turkana, regardless of their location, social status, or political affiliation," said Dr. Erus. The Deputy Governor further emphasized that the health products represent more than just commodities. "They symbolize our administration's resolve to protect lives. By distributing these commodities, we aim to increase life expectancy, reduce the disease burden, and promote the overall well-being of our people," he added.
According to Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel, the consignment reflects the county's investment in ensuring continued access to life-saving medicines for the first half of the 2025/2026 financial year. "The order is based on the actual needs generated from all our 234 health facilities across the county. It reflects our commitment to ensuring equitable access to safe and efficacious medical supplies for every resident," he said.
The DG also emphasized that this being the fifth consignment in 2025, and the third in the current financial year is due to the creditworthiness of Turkana county with up-to-date payments to KEMSA, assuring the county of continued supply. Dr. Lokoel noted that through KEMSA's last-mile distribution model, the government is assured that the commodities will reach even the most remote facilities such as Namukuse, Longech, and Elelea.
He also revealed that Turkana was recently recognized and awarded by KEMSA as the best county in health commodity management in the Rift Valley region for the financial year 2024/2025. "This demonstrates our prudence in managing these commodities, enhancing accountability, and reducing wastage," he said.
The Director for HPTs, Dr. David Moru, stated that consistent drug supplies have greatly improved residents' trust in public facilities and positively influenced health-seeking behavior. "We will continue to work closely with KEMSA, and we want to assure our people that this consignment also includes laboratory reagents, antibiotics, painkillers, anti-venom, and anti-rabies," he added.
On his part, Director for Medical Services, Dr. Ekiru Kidalio, confirmed that the Lodwar County Referral Hospital received its consignment recently in August 2025, with the next consignment scheduled in the coming four months from now. "These medicines and supplies have been procured at great cost to the taxpayer. We must, therefore, not permit pilferage, theft, irrational use, or wastage of any kind. Communities must also remain vigilant and work hand in hand with healthcare workers to ensure these products reach those who need them most," he directed.
The residents are encouraged to call this hotline number 0746-196-057 should they have any information, queries, or complaints with regards to medical supplies. Over the last few months, five calls made to the provided number were acted upon, with a suspect currently undergoing investigations.
Meanwhile, Chief Officer Dr. Lokoel assured residents registered under the Social Health Authority of continued free healthcare services at Level 2 and Level 3 facilities, reaffirming the government's pledge to cover all registered residents for the next one year. With today's consignment, the county government has demonstrated not just investment in commodities but a clear promise of better health outcomes, stronger accountability, and a healthier future for every Turkana resident.