Turkana Targets 100,000 New Health Registrations in 7 Days in Countywide SHA Drive
LODWAR — Turkana County has launched an aggressive seven-day campaign to register at least 100,000 people into the national Social Health Authority (SHA) system. The campaign, branded as a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), kicked off this week with a county-wide push to increase access to affordable healthcare.
Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus, who led the launch, confirmed that registration is free for all residents during the one-week period. The county government has waived initial costs to eliminate barriers and speed up the sign-up process.
“SHA is a thoughtful national program designed to ensure no Kenyan is left behind in accessing medical care,” Dr. Erus said. “As a county, we are covering the first contribution so that cost is not a reason someone stays out.”
The RRI is operating in all 256 village units and seven sub-counties, involving over 2,600 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and more than 100 administrative officials. The campaign’s theme Accelerating SHA uptake through community-led rapid results highlights the county’s reliance on local structures to reach every eligible resident.
Low Enrollment, High Stakes
According to official data, only 164,556 people out of Turkana’s 926,976 residents are currently registered with SHA. Health officials say this low enrollment blocks the county from qualifying for higher Primary Health Care (PHC) funding, which is tied to the number of insured patients treated in local facilities.
“This is not just about hitting numbers,” said Dr. Epem Joseph Esekon, the County Executive for Health. “It’s about securing health financing and building a system where no one has to sell livestock or borrow money to access treatment.”
Of the county’s 301 health facilities, 218 are already accredited under SHA. This allows enrolled residents to access care at Level 2 and 3 facilities dispensaries and health centers without out-of-pocket payments.
Real Impact on the Ground
Christine Asiyapat, a mother from Lodwar, shared her story at the launch. Her child spent two weeks in the hospital, including seven days in intensive care, and underwent costly imaging. Without SHA, the family would have owed over KES 400,000.
“SHA saved us from financial ruin,” Asiyapat said. Moved by her story, Dr. Erus pledged to clear the remaining hospital bill. “This is the kind of protection SHA gives. No family should carry that burden alone,” he said.
Mobilizing Communities
The registration campaign also includes organized groups such as Boda Boda riders, fish vendors, textile traders, and transport workers. County officials are coordinating with group leaders to mobilize members for on-site registration drives.
“We are meeting people where they are,” said Dr. Esekon. “If they’re in the markets or at roadside stands, our teams will be there.”
Joseph Lolepo, Director of Community Health Services, emphasized the educational aspect of the drive. “Many people still don’t understand SHA. Our job is to explain how this saves them from paying full hospital bills upfront,” he said.
Challenges and National Support
While the county aims to register 1.5 million people within the next year, Dr. Erus acknowledged the obstacles. Many eligible residents lack national ID cards or mobile phones, both required for SHA registration.
“We are calling on the national government to accommodate Turkana’s reality,” Erus said. “CHPs should be allowed to register residents using their own phones, especially in remote areas.”
Swaleh Ekutan, a CHP involved in the campaign, said teams have been trained and are ready to meet and possibly exceed the daily registration target of 100 residents per promoter.
The weeklong SHA blitz runs through July 10 and is expected to significantly close the health coverage gap in one of Kenya’s most underserved regions.
