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The Nairobian

Health boost: Turkana raises TB funding from sh1.5 million to sh20 million

Counties

By Bakari Angela | Mar 27, 2025

**Health officer from Turkana County attend to an elderly man during a One Health outreach in Loima, Turkana West.**[Edna Rono]

Turkana County has raised its tuberculosis (TB) budget from Sh1.5 million to Sh20 million for the 2025/26 financial year to strengthen diagnosis and treatment efforts.

The move follows a surge in TB cases, with 3,443 infections recorded last year.

Deputy Governor and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Dr John Erus, described TB as a crisis, noting that young adults account for 27 percent of cases. He raised concerns over malnutrition among patients, saying 42 percent of TB patients in the county suffer from severe acute malnutrition, complicating their recovery.

“TB is not just a health issue. It affects livelihoods and burdens families. The combination of malnutrition and TB makes treatment even harder,” he said.

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According to the TB County Coordinator, Dr. Job Okemwa, factors such as malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, and the effects of frozen donor aid from the US government have contributed to the high number of tuberculosis cases in Turkana County.

Dr. Erus emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to ensure patients complete treatment.

“Missing even one dose increases the risk of drug-resistant TB, which is more expensive and difficult to treat,” he warned.

Deputy County Commissioner Thomas Sialo cautioned TB patients against skipping treatment, saying defaulters could face legal action.

“A TB defaulter is committing a crime by endangering others. If found, they can be arrested and taken to prison to complete their treatment,” he said.

Officials have expressed concerns that non-compliance is fueling drug-resistant TB, which is more difficult and costly to manage.

“These drugs are very strong, and taking them on an empty stomach makes you weak and nauseous. Many people stop taking them because they have nothing to eat,” said Esther Lokiru, a patient in Lodwar.

Dr. Erus called for collaboration among government agencies, health workers, and community leaders to eradicate TB in Turkana.

“This is a fight we must win. We need commitment from all stakeholders,” he said.