Health officials in Turkana County have raised concern over a growing measles outbreak in several villages along the border with West Pokot, where insecurity continues to hinder access to essential health services.

The disease has been reported in Lokiriama, Aroo and Loima villages, all of which lie in areas frequently affected by banditry.

According to the County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation, Dr Joseph Epem, the worst-hit villages are those with many unvaccinated children.

“Border villages, especially those in Lobei/Kotaruk, Turkwel, Katilu and Lobokat wards which have a high number of children who are not immunised are the most affected. Our healthcare workers fear conducting house-to-house immunisations because they risk being attacked by bandits,” said Dr Epem.

To address the outbreak, Turkana County has launched a 10-day integrated immunisation campaign that began last Saturday, as part of a national effort to stop the spread of measles-rubella and drug-resistant typhoid.

The campaign aims to vaccinate 177,108 children aged between 9 and 59 months.

With healthcare workers unable to freely move in volatile regions, Dr Epem emphasised the need for security to ensure vaccination teams can reach affected communities.

“We need support from the County Security Committee to maintain high vaccination coverage in banditry-prone areas. This is crucial to prevent further outbreaks and protect vulnerable individuals who already face challenges in accessing basic needs like food and quality healthcare,” he added.

Deputy Governor John Erus echoed the concerns, calling on police officers to provide full security for healthcare workers involved in the campaign.

He also noted that through support from development partners and the Ministry of Health, the county has secured enough transport vehicles to deliver the Measles-Rubella (MR) and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) across all 12 sub-counties.