Big Win for Turkana West as USAID Nawiri Expands to Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Lopur

By Turkana Correspondent

The USAID-funded Nawiri program has announced an expansion of its operations to the wards of Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Lopur, increasing its reach across Turkana County from 22 to 25 wards.

This expansion is aimed at tackling the region's pressing issue of acute malnutrition, with recent surveys revealing alarmingly high malnutrition rates that require urgent intervention.

Gabriel Ekuwam, Director of USAID Nawiri’s Lodwar field office, made the announcement during a training session on Community Integrated Assessment and Action Planning (CIAAP) for administrators at the sub-county, ward, and village levels.

He explained that the decision to expand into these new areas was prompted by findings from a recent SMART Survey and other research, which highlighted high rates of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in the newly included wards.

“Our data shows a clear need for targeted interventions in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Lopur. Expanding into these wards allows us to address malnutrition directly at the village level, where the impact is most severe,” Ekuwam said.

Group photo of trainers and trainees during the CIAAP sensitization

He added that the CIAAP training would enable Nawiri to adopt a more localized, community-centered approach, enhancing the program’s responsiveness to the specific needs of each community.

As part of the expansion, representatives from the three newly included wards participated in CIAAP training, designed to foster community-driven solutions to malnutrition.

Turkana’s Chief Officer for Administration and Disaster Risk Management, David Maraka, praised the program’s growth and advocated for its eventual rollout to all 30 wards in Turkana County.

“Nawiri’s work in areas like Longolemwar has had a transformative impact on health, water, and nutrition,” Maraka said. “Our communities stand to benefit greatly from the program’s presence, and we encourage its further expansion to reach every ward.”

Patricia Murie, Nawiri’s Director of Implementation, emphasized that the five-day training was structured to develop a network of skilled local administrators who can effectively implement CIAAP initiatives at the village level.

This strategy, she noted, will create a “critical mass” of trained personnel capable of advancing Nawiri’s mission through direct community engagement.

The training also covered essential stages of community interaction, including informing, consulting, involving, collaborating, and empowering local communities.

The newly trained administrators are now poised to accelerate Nawiri’s efforts at the village level, enhancing access to health, nutrition, and other essential services in Turkana West.

In areas where Nawiri has implemented programs, residents have benefited from improved water access, malnutrition prevention programs, and livelihood diversification initiatives.