Health Department West Pokot County

18/09/2026

The County Government of West Pokot today officially received a range of health assets from USAID AMPATH Uzima during a handover ceremony held at the County Residence.

The ceremony was presided over by H.E. Governor Simon Kachapin, alongside AMPATH Uzima Chief of Party, Prof. Sylvester Kimaiyo, and his delegation.

Speaking during the ceremony, Prof. Sylvester Kimaiyo said the handover was made possible through support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and is part of the transition towards sustainability and increased county ownership of donor-supported health programmes.

He emphasized that the transition is centred on sustainability and expressed confidence that the County Government of West Pokot will maintain the high standards of care established through the partnership.

Governor Kachapin thanked USAID and AMPATH Uzima for their immense support in strengthening HIV care, building the capacity of health workers, and expanding access to quality healthcare services across the county.

The Governor appreciated the partnership, noting that it has contributed significantly to saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes. He reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to sustaining the gains made as donor funding transitions, assuring residents that essential health services will continue without interruption.

The Governor further assured that the County Government will make effective use of the assets received to enhance healthcare service delivery and improve the wellbeing of the people of West Pokot.

The assets handed over include:

- Medical and laboratory equipment
- ICT equipment, including computers, servers and printers
- Office furniture and equipment
- Medical supplies
- Cold-chain equipment

The handover forms part of the Government-to-Government (G2G) transition model, which seeks to strengthen sustainability, county ownership and continuity of donor-supported health programmes.

County officials present included CCM Clare Parklea, Chief of Staff Tyno Rotino, County Secretary Jonathan Siwanyang, Director of Communication Nicholas Siwatom, Lopakale from the Department of Health, Director Kokwo, among other senior county officials.

County Government of West Pokot — Sustaining Health Gains, Serving Our People.
Kapenguria County Teaching & Referral Hospital County Government of West Pokot

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

The Department of Health, County Government of West Pokot, in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, has successfully concluded a two-day inception meeting for the North Rift Eye Health Project.

Supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), the four-year project is designed to address avoidable blindness and vision impairment while improving access to quality eye health services for communities across the region.

The project will focus on increasing the uptake of eye care services among underserved, vulnerable and marginalised populations, while strengthening the integration of eye health services within existing health systems across five counties.

Implementation of the project will be guided by the six national health system pillars:

• Health Service Delivery
• Health Workforce
• Health Information Systems
• Medical Products and Technologies
• Health Financing
• Leadership and Governance

The inception meeting brought together representatives from the Department of Health, County and Sub-County Health Management Teams, eye health personnel, and The Fred Hollows Foundation. The engagement provided an important platform to align expectations, define roles and responsibilities, strengthen coordination, and establish a clear framework for effective project implementation.

The County Government of West Pokot remains committed to strengthening health systems and ensuring that every resident, regardless of their location or circumstances, has access to essential and quality healthcare services.

Through this partnership, we are taking meaningful steps towards preventing avoidable blindness, improving eye health outcomes, restoring sight and transforming lives across West Pokot.

Together, we can build a stronger and more inclusive eye health system for our communities.

28/08/2026

Today, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, accompanied by an engineer from the AMASONS Group, visited Kabichbich Health Centre for a site assessment ahead of the planned construction of a Mother and Child Lifeline Facility.

The engineer, who was sent by AMASONS Group, conducted a detailed site visit to assess the proposed location and gather the necessary information to guide the design and construction of the facility.

The planned Mother and Child Lifeline is expected to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services at Kabichbich Health Centre by improving access to essential services and providing a more conducive environment for mothers and children.

The County Government of West Pokot appreciates the partnership and support from AMASONS Group towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving the wellbeing of mothers and children across the county.

22/08/2026

Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Collaboration

The County Government of West Pokot, in collaboration with the Social Health Authority (SHA) – West Pokot Branch and the Digital Health Agency (DHA), successfully conducted a two-day Know Your Customer (KYC) exercise aimed at verifying healthcare facility information, engaging facility managers, and addressing challenges affecting SHA and digital health systems.

On Thursday, 20th August 2026, the team visited healthcare facilities in Pokot Central, engaging the in-charges of 17 facilities. The exercise provided an opportunity to verify facility details, discuss SHA processes, and identify areas requiring further support.

On Friday, 21st August 2026, the team proceeded to Kacheliba and Pokot North Sub-Counties, where they engaged the in-charges of 22 facilities. The team also had an opportunity to interact with a newly deployed DHA staff member in West Pokot County. Facility managers were able to raise system-related challenges, which the team addressed through guidance and technical support.

In total, 39 healthcare facilities were engaged during the two-day exercise. The success of the KYC exercise was greatly supported by the strong collaboration between the County Government of West Pokot, SHA, DHA, and healthcare providers.

The exercise has further strengthened coordination among the stakeholders, created a platform for resolving digital and system-related challenges, and enhanced communication with healthcare facilities.

The County Government of West Pokot remains committed to working closely with SHA and DHA to strengthen health systems, improve efficiency, and ensure that residents across the county continue to access quality and responsive healthcare services.

Together, through collaboration and innovation, we are building a stronger healthcare system for the people of West Pokot.

14/08/2026

The five-day Rapid Response Teams (RRT) Training on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), held from 10–14 August 2026 at Kalya Hotel, Kapenguria, has successfully come to an end. The training was organized by the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) in partnership with FHI 360 under the STRIDES programme.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers to prevent, detect, investigate, manage and effectively respond to Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
Over the five days, participants covered key areas including EVD surveillance, case investigation, data management, laboratory diagnosis, case management, coordination through the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Rapid Response Teams, risk communication and community engagement, mental health and psychosocial support, infection prevention and control, WASH, safe and dignified burials, and points-of-entry surveillance.
Participants also undertook practical sessions on hand hygiene, chlorine mixing, cleaning and disinfection, PPE donning and doffing, specimen collection and packaging, epidemiological data collection, and tabletop simulation exercises.
The training concluded with work-plan development, post-training assessment and presentations. The closing ceremony was officiated by the Director for Health and Sanitation, Dr. Kokwo, who commended the participants and partners for their commitment to strengthening county preparedness and response capacity.
The successful completion of this training marks an important step towards building a stronger, coordinated and resilient public health emergency response system in West Pokot County.

03/03/2026

03/03/2026

Today, the West Pokot County Government formalized a strategic partnership with Ortum Mission Hospital School of Nursing through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening the training and development of health professionals within the county. The agreement was signed by the CECM for Health and Sanitation, Hon. Claire Parklea, on behalf of the County Government, and Sister Nelly representing Ortum Nursing School.
The MOU establishes a structured framework for clinical placements in county health facilities, technical supervision of students, and enhanced collaboration in teaching, learning, and research. By clearly defining roles and expectations, the partnership seeks to create a supportive environment where nursing students can gain practical, hands-on experience while being guided by qualified health professionals.
This collaboration reinforces the County’s commitment to building a skilled, competent, and responsive health workforce capable of delivering quality, accessible, and people-centred healthcare services. By optimizing the use of county health facilities as accredited training sites and strengthening institutional cooperation, the agreement is expected to enhance students’ clinical exposure and professional growth. Ultimately, the partnership will contribute to improved service delivery and better health outcomes for communities across West Pokot County.

24/02/2026

DISSEMINATION OF WARD-SPECIFIC PROJECTS – FY 2025/2026

Today, the Department of Health and Sanitation, led by CEC Member Claire Parklea together with Chief Officer for Health Irene Lopakale, presented the Ward-Specific Projects for the Financial Year 2025/2026 to the Honourable Members of the County Assembly.

This engagement underscores our strong commitment to equitable healthcare development and improved sanitation services across all wards.

For FY 2025/2026, the Department will focus on:

✅ Upgrading and equipping health facilities
✅ Construction and completion of health units
✅ Supply of essential medical equipment and pharmaceuticals
✅ Strengthening sanitation and disease prevention programs
✅ Improving water, hygiene, and waste management infrastructure
✅ Deployment of additional healthcare personnel where necessary

Each ward has been allocated projects based on identified needs to ensure fairness, efficiency, and maximum impact to our communities.

CEC Claire Parklea and CO Irene Lopakale reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and timely implementation of all planned projects.

Together, we are building a healthier and cleaner county.

17/02/2026

Today, the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Health, Hon. Claire Parklea, and the Chief Officer (CO) for Health, Ms. Irene Lopakale, convened a high-level consultative meeting with the County Data Protection Team. The meeting was also attended by the County Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Siwanyang, the County Attorney, Mr. Robert Katina, and Dr. Kokwo.
The consultative engagement focused on strengthening data governance within the County Health Department, with key discussions centered on compliance with the Data Protection Act, patient confidentiality, data security systems, and the responsible handling of sensitive health information.
Hon. Claire Parklea reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of data protection, transparency, and accountability in healthcare service delivery. She emphasized that safeguarding citizens’ personal data remains a top priority as the department continues to enhance digital health systems.
Ms. Irene Lopakale underscored the importance of reinforcing internal controls, improving coordination across health facilities, and ensuring continuous training of healthcare workers on data protection protocols and ethical data management practices.
County Secretary Mr. Jonathan Siwanyang emphasized the need for cross-departmental collaboration and institutional compliance, noting that data protection is a collective responsibility that safeguards public trust and strengthens governance frameworks.
The County Attorney, Mr. Robert Katina, highlighted the legal obligations of the department in safeguarding personal data and ensuring that all health facilities operate strictly within the framework of the Data Protection Act. He stressed the importance of full compliance to mitigate legal risks and protect both patients and the County Government.
Dr. Kokwo provided technical insights on improving data accuracy, strengthening digital infrastructure, conducting routine compliance audits, and building capacity among staff to maintain secure and efficient health information systems.
Among the key issues discussed were:
Strengthening data protection policies across all county health facilities
Enhancing cybersecurity measures and digital safeguards
Staff capacity building on confidentiality and privacy standards
Streamlining and securing health information systems
Instituting compliance audits and monitoring mechanisms
The meeting resolved to develop a comprehensive action plan aimed at reinforcing compliance, improving system integrity, and enhancing public confidence in the county’s healthcare services.
The County Government remains committed to protecting personal information while delivering quality, transparent, and accountable healthcare services to all residents.