Turkana targets to enrol pastoralist families to SHA amid concern over very low registration

During a recent outreach in Kibish, more than 800 people were registered in SHA

Turkana county is stepping up efforts to enrol more pastoralists in the Social Health Authority scheme in the new year, as the region continues to record one of the lowest registration rates in the country.

Access to healthcare in vast parts of the county, including Kibish subcounty, remains limited by long distances to health facilities and low health insurance coverage. Many residents live between 30 and 80 kilometres from the nearest health facility, with some villages lacking mobile network connectivity.

To address these challenges, the county is rolling out a new initiative dubbed the Kimormor health intervention under the One Health model, aimed at strengthening healthcare access among nomadic communities.

During a recent outreach in Kibish, more than 800 people were registered in SHA, most of them nomadic pastoralists who would otherwise be excluded from universal health coverage.

“Kimormor has helped me access communities I would never reach on my own,” said Ignatius Ekutan, a SHA representative in the area. “Some of these villages are 30km away. Without this outreach, these families would remain excluded from universal healthcare.”

County One Health coordinator Kipkorir Rotich said SHA registration is a key pillar of the One Health approach. “Registering families in SHA ensures continuity of care, sustainability of services and financial protection for already vulnerable households,” he said.

Health records and information officer for Kibish, Kevin Kwaba, said the outreach has significantly improved data capture, follow-up and service planning. “Kimormor helps us capture populations that are constantly moving and far from facilities,” he said, adding that SHA registration and SIM card enrolment now allow health workers to send appointment reminders and reduce defaulter rates.

Kwaba noted that expectant mothers—who often only visit health facilities during emergencies—are now being reached earlier, improving maternal and child health outcomes. County officials also cited improved immunisation and child health tracking as key benefits of increased SHA enrolment.

Nationally, more than 27 million people are registered with SHA, but Turkana remains among counties with the lowest coverage. According to assistant director for health records and information Peter Etee, only 222,259 out of the county’s estimated population of 926,463—about 24 per cent—are enrolled.

Governor Jeremiah Lomurkai has directed the county health department to intensify sensitisation and enrolment efforts across all sub-counties. Etee said grassroots leaders, including Members of the County Assembly, will play a critical role in scaling up registration.

The county has also trained more than 282 heads of health facilities and sub-county health management teams on healthcare financing, SHA uptake and the Facility Improvement Fund. The training, supported by partners including Amref Health Africa and the Council of Governors, aims to strengthen financial autonomy, accountability and service delivery.

Deputy Director of Medical Services Bonventure Ameyo said improved understanding of health financing would ensure timely procurement of medicines, reduce stockouts and improve quality of care across the county.