Kimormor Boosts Service Delivery in Kapetadie as Water CEC Prioritizes Community Needs

By Turkana Correspondent 

The 13th edition of Kimormor, a one-health integrated outreach program delivering essential services to underserved pastoral communities, arrived in Kapetadie, Lokichoggio Sub-County today, where it was officially launched by Patrick Losike Lokaimoe, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water Services.

CECM Lokaimoe described the initiative as a lifeline for communities historically marginalized in accessing basic services.

"This is a specially designed program to ensure communities like Kapetadie are not left behind in accessing essential services," he stated.

Beneficiaries in Kapetadie received services ranging from human health consultations and animal vaccinations to civil registration for identity cards and birth certificates, along with disease prevention training.

The CEC noted the community’s appreciation and promised an expanded rollout in the future.

"On behalf of the County Government and all the departments involved in Kimormor, we are working on ways to ensure that the repair of water infrastructure at the point of service delivery is prioritized," he said.

As part of this commitment, Lokaimoe instructed the Lokichoggio Sub-County water team to assess the Kapetadie solar-powered water project and submit a report to his office to initiate repair works.

The CEC also highlighted the role of cross-border peace efforts in enabling the delivery of services to South Sudanese pastoralists in Mogila, an area now within Kenyan territory.

"Kimormor has truly attained international status by providing services to cross-border communities currently enjoying peace. This indicates that peaceful cross-border existence has real dividends," he added.

Gabriel Ejikon, a representative of the DANIDA Transcend Project, acknowledged the importance of peace in making the outreach possible.

"The ability to undertake this initiative in previously insecure areas can partly be attributed to cross-border peace efforts. These efforts have transformed the area from a battle zone into a service delivery zone, fostering inclusivity," he noted.

On his part, Jamal Abdi, the IRC Core Group Partners' project manager, stated that the initiative complements efforts to monitor and report cross-border zoonotic diseases and polio for appropriate action.

For Lokai Ekitela, a resident and Kapetadie beneficiary, the outreach was transformative.

"This area was once a war zone between the Turkana and Toposa communities, but now it’s a zone of peace. We are all benefiting from Kimormor without having to travel long distances for essential services," Ekitela remarked.

During the exercise, 200 assorted tree seedlings were planted at various locations, and communities were sensitized on seedling protection.

So far, Kimormor has benefited 2,066 people with both curative and preventive medical services, including the distribution of nutritional products.

Additionally, 45,000 animals, including cows, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys, were either treated or vaccinated.

Regarding social services, 384 individuals have been registered for the issuance of identity cards, and 50 for birth certificates. Another 416 have been registered for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA).