The Turkana County Government has moved swiftly to debunk widespread claims alleging that the region is facing “the worst cholera outbreak in 25 years.”
In a public statement released on November 15, 2025, the Department of Health and Sanitation termed the reports false and misleading, assuring residents that there is no ongoing cholera outbreak in the county.
According to the statement, Turkana experienced a cholera outbreak earlier in the year, running from May 15 to July 21, 2025. The outbreak began with a case linked to cross-border travel from South Sudan through Uganda. Health officials note that the situation was promptly and effectively contained, with zero new cases reported for 21 consecutive days, the standard threshold for declaring an outbreak over.
With the situation fully under control, the department confirmed that all emergency response activities have since been scaled back to routine surveillance and community health education. Officials are urging the public to rely strictly on verified updates issued by the County Government and the Department of Health and Sanitation.
“We encourage residents to continue practicing handwashing with soap and using safe water,” said Dr. Epem Joseph Esekon, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation, who signed the official statement.
The County also provided a media contact, encouraging the public and journalists to seek clarity from the Department of Health to avoid the spread of misinformation.
As Turkana continues to strengthen its disease surveillance systems, health officials are emphasizing the importance of community cooperation and verified information in safeguarding public health.
