The Department of Health and Sanitation, in Turkana County has drafted One Health Bill and established a Technical Working Group (TWG) to collaboratively address interconnected health challenges, especially early disease prevention and swift responses during disease outbreaks.
The drafting meeting, supported by the Kenya Red Cross Society, seeks to provide a legal framework for collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors through shared governance and resource allocation.
According to drafters, the framework will drive coordinated action in implementing One Health interventions in Turkana.
Speaking during the meeting, acting Deputy Director of Public Health, Ismael Ekaran, emphasized that institutionalizing the One Health approach will create a harmonized, efficient, and proactive system for tackling complex health threats such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate-related risks, and other environmental health challenges.
He noted, “The bill will legally compel multiple sectors to collaborate on addressing Health gaps. This will be especially critical in controlling zoonotic diseases, where effective prevention requires simultaneous action in human, animal, and environmental health.”
The meeting also underscored the importance of strengthening Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) around the Social Health Authority (SHA), highlighting its role in promoting positive health outcomes and empowering communities to adopt healthier practices.
Director of Veterinary Services, Benson Long’or, called for increased investment to accelerate the One Health agenda by intensifying livestock and human health interventions. He stressed that with adequate budgetary support, the interventions could be scaled up to ensure sustainability and local ownership.
“Moving forward, we will ensure improved allocation of funds from the county to enhance implementation and sustainability of One Health initiatives, particularly in cross-border communities,” he affirmed.
County One Health Coordinator, Kipkorir Rotich, informed participants that the county is actively working on the One Health Bill to advocate for dedicated financial resources. He said the bill will strengthen the county’s implementation plan for countering health threats, improving pandemic preparedness, and enhancing overall health security.
Rotich also highlighted that the ongoing first phase of the PREPARE Project is contributing to One Health objectives, particularly through findings from the recently concluded Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey on community-based surveillance and pandemic response in Lokiriama and Nadapal points of entry.
Additionally, he reported ongoing interventional research on enhanced integrated facility and community-based surveillance (CBS) for antimicrobial resistance affecting both refugee and host communities in Kakuma. Findings from this study are expected to be disseminated in October 2025.
The newly formed TWG presented its work plan for the next financial year to stakeholders and development partners in attendance.
Present during the forum were senior officials from county and sub-county health management, livestock and environment departments, the Registrar of Persons, as well as representatives from Amref Imarisha Jamii, Danida Transcend Project, Welthungerhilfe, and the Kenya Red Cross Society.
By Peter Gitonga
