County Government of Isiolo

18/09/2026

Isiolo County Steps Up Ebola Preparedness with Frontline Health Worker Training

The County Government of Isiolo, through its Department of Health Services, has successfully conducted a comprehensive training for frontline healthcare workers on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness and response. The workshop, held for three days was organized in collaboration with the Vision Corps Initiative (VCI) under the Ebola Preparedness and Response Project, with support from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the CORE Group Partners Project (CGPP).

It brought together key medical personnel from across the county, with sessions focused on strengthening early detection systems, sharpening rapid response measures, and establishing robust reporting protocols within local health facilities. By building the operational capacity of frontline responders, the initiative seeks to safeguard communities against potential disease outbreaks before they can take hold.

Speaking at the official closing ceremony, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, Luqman Ahmed, addressed the participating medical staff, underscoring the critical role health professionals play in clinical care and infection control. He urged doctors to remain vigilant, adhere strictly to standard operating procedures, and continue delivering high-quality care to all patients.

"Every health worker in this room is now a frontline defender against Ebola, and that responsibility must never be taken lightly," Luqmanasserted.

Beyond direct patient management, Ahmed directed all participating doctors to take on the role of trainers within their respective institutions. He tasked them with leading cascade training sessions on Ebola prevention for fellow healthcare workers across Isiolo County's hospitals, ensuring the knowledge gained reaches every level of the health system.

On her part, the VCI representative emphasized the importance of proactive planning in public health emergencies, noting that timing and readiness remain the most decisive factors in outbreak prevention.

"Ebola preparedness is not about waiting for an outbreak to happen," she said. "It is about ensuring that our health workers, facilities, and communities are ready to detect, report, and respond quickly when a threat emerges."

Through sustained partnerships between the county government and development partners such as VCI, IRC, and CGPP, Isiolo County continues to strengthen a resilient healthcare infrastructure — one capable of swift containment, effective communication, and robust public health protection.

16/09/2026

Isiolo County Launches Three-Day Ebola Preparedness and Response Training

Isiolo County took another significant step toward building a resilient health system on Tuesday, 16 September 2026, as it launched a three-day Ebola Preparedness and Response Training in line with Governor Abdi Ibrahim's agenda for a stronger, more responsive health sector.

The training, running from 16 to 18 September 2026, is a joint initiative between the County Government of Isiolo and Vision Corps Initiative (VCI). It brings together Sub-County Health Management Teams from Merti, Cherab, Garbatulla, Sericho and Oldonyiro, with a deliberate focus on cascading knowledge and skills to frontline health workers and, ultimately, to communities.

Chief Officer for Health Dr. Mohamud Mero officially opened the training, underscoring the importance of investing in preparedness before emergencies occur. He stressed the need for the county to anticipate, prepare for and rapidly respond to emerging public health threats, including the potential effects of El Niño related weather events, which can heighten vulnerabilities and increase the risk of disease outbreaks.

"Vigilance today saves lives tomorrow. Our health workers must remain alert, detect early, report promptly and respond swiftly to any emerging threat," Mero noted.

Dr. Mero commended frontline health workers for their unwavering commitment and critical role in keeping diseases at bay. He emphasised the importance of sustained vigilance, intensified surveillance, early detection, timely reporting and rapid response to public health threats.

Through this collaboration, the training is strengthening county health teams' capacity in Ebola preparedness and response, surveillance, infection prevention and control, risk communication, case detection, referral and coordinated outbreak response.

The call to action is clear: learn it, cascade it and put it into practice. Each participating Sub-County Health Management Team is expected to develop and implement a clear cascade plan, orient frontline health workers, strengthen community level awareness, reinforce surveillance and reporting mechanisms, and ensure suspected Ebola cases are identified, reported, isolated and referred promptly in line with national guidelines.

By 18 September 2026, the goal is not simply to produce trained health teams, but action ready teams with clear responsibilities, strengthened linkages and a practical pathway for taking preparedness skills to every health facility and community.

Preparedness is not a one off training event. It is an ongoing responsibility. Together, Isiolo County and VCI are turning knowledge into readiness, readiness into action, and action into lives protected.

10/09/2026

Kagwe Launches Livestock Vaccination Drive in Isiolo, Pledges Support Against El Niño Threats

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, accompanied by Isiolo County Secretary Dade Boru, officially launched a major livestock vaccination project in Isiolo County this week. The delegation toured the region's main abattoir in Burat Ward, inspecting operations and assessing the area's infrastructure needs.

Speaking at the launch, CS Kagwe announced the immediate rollout of the vaccination drive, noting that Isiolo had been selected as a high-priority county. The exercise is designed to protect local herds from debilitating diseases and safeguard the primary source of livelihood for the region's pastoral communities.

"Isiolo remains a priority county, and this vaccination exercise will secure livestock health and livelihoods," Kagwe said.

Turning to broader environmental concerns, the Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed that President William Ruto's administration is fully committed to supporting county authorities in the face of climate-related threats. He said the national government would work closely with Isiolo's leadership to implement measures aimed at cushioning pastoralists from the anticipated effects of the El Niño rains.

County Secretary Dade Boru echoed this commitment, reiterating that the county government, under Governor Abdi Guyo, remained dedicated to supporting the region's pastoralist population. He outlined plans to strengthen community infrastructure, with particular focus on addressing security gaps around key agricultural hubs.

"Our county government will keep investing in infrastructure that protects pastoralists and strengthens their livelihoods," Boru noted.

As part of these security enhancements, Boru revealed that the county government would construct a new police post next to the Burat Ward abattoir. The facility is expected to curb livestock theft, protect economic assets, and create a safer environment for both traders and residents in the area.

09/09/2026

Isiolo County Lauded for Measures to Combat Gender-Based Violence.

The Isiolo County Government has been lauded for putting in place measures and policies aimed at addressing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality and inclusion.

Speaking during the launch of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) Isiolo Regional Office, NGEC Chairperson Rehema Jaldesa commended the county government under the leadership of Governor H.E. Ibrahim Hassan Guyo for its commitment to addressing gender-related challenges.

“The Isiolo County Government has already put in place about eight policies addressing gender-related issues. This demonstrates its commitment to promoting gender equality and protecting vulnerable members of the community,” said Jaldesa.

She noted that although some of the policies were still at the draft stage, NGEC was ready to work with the county government to finalise and implement them for the benefit of residents.

Among the policies highlighted were the Social Protection Policy, Anti-FGM Policy and Referral Pathway Policy, with Jaldesa saying their implementation would strengthen inclusion and improve access to protection and support services.

The launch also brought together government agencies, civil society organisations, religious leaders and community representatives to deliberate on electoral preparedness and the participation and inclusion of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The stakeholders included representatives from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Commission on Administrative Justice, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, religious leaders, Horn of Africa Institute, National Government Administration, Isiolo Gender Watch, Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, Plan International, Office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths and Ever Ready CBO, among others.

The forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening the participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other Special Interest Groups in the electoral process.

Isiolo County Acting CECM in charge of Gender, Luqman Ahmed, accompanied by Chief Officer in charge of Gender Abdiwahid Hussein and Chief Officer for Health Services Dr. Mohamed Abdikadir, called on residents to make use of the newly established NGEC regional office.

Luqman expressed concern over the reported increase in cases of femicide in the county and called for stronger collaboration among government agencies and other stakeholders in addressing gender-related challenges.

“We are concerned about the increasing cases of femicide in Isiolo County. I urge our residents to utilise this regional office and work closely with the relevant agencies to ensure that gender-based violence and other violations are reported and addressed,” said Ahmed.

The Acting CECM also appealed to NGEC to assist in fast-tracking compensation and support for families affected by insecurity, particularly families that lose their husbands or fathers through cattle-rustling incidents.
He added that the county government was committed to strengthening its response to gender-based violence through the establishment of GBV centres at Isiolo County Teaching and Referral Hospital (ICTRH) and in Garbatulla.
The launch of the NGEC regional office is expected to strengthen coordination between national and county government institutions, civil society organisations and communities in promoting gender equality, protecting vulnerable groups and enhancing the participation of Special Interest Groups in governance and the electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

09/09/2026

Isiolo County and Twelve Conservancies Forge Unified Strategy for Peace, Security and Sustainable Tourism Development

The County Government of Isiolo today convened a high level consultative meeting with leaders representing twelve community conservancies drawn from across the region. Among those in attendance were representatives from Nasuulu, Leparua, Nanapa, Naapu, Nanapisho, Narupa, Nakuprat and Biliqo Bulesa conservancies.

The gathering brought together county officials and conservancy leadership to deliberate on strategies for strengthening structural cooperation, fostering peace and accelerating sustainable development between the county administration and local conservancy networks.

Speaking during the meeting, Isiolo County Executive for Trade, Tourism and Wildlife Management Dr Lawrence Mwongela commended the joint efforts between local communities and public administration, noting that the county has made notable progress in raising the profile of the regional tourism sector. He stressed that sustaining this momentum requires a unified approach, with conservancy level initiatives aligning directly with broader county economic strategies.

"Unified action between conservancies and county government remains the only reliable path toward lasting tourism growth in Isiolo," Mwongela asserted.

Echoing these remarks, Chief Officer for Tourism and Wildlife Management Batula Ali revealed that the county administration has designed targeted development programs specifically tailored to benefit the conservancies. She noted that the plans aim to improve local infrastructure, strengthen operational capacities and generate economic opportunities that flow directly to the communities managing these conservation areas.

"Every conservancy leader must double as a peace ambassador while working actively to end poaching within their jurisdiction," Batula noted.

Conservancy leaders used the forum to present progress reports highlighting growth and operational strides within their respective areas. They expressed gratitude to the county leadership, attributing much of their recent success to the financial and logistical support extended by Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo's administration in advancing grassroots development.

The meeting concluded on a unified note, with all parties reaffirming their commitment to peace, environmental stewardship and continuous collaboration between the county and its communities. By aligning county resources with local conservancy governance, Isiolo aims to build a resilient tourism ecosystem that safeguards its wildlife while delivering tangible benefits to residents.

09/09/2026

Isiolo County Flags Off Femicide and GBV Sensitization Caravan

Isiolo County Government today officially flagged off a Femicide and Gender Based Violence (GBV) Sensitization Caravan set to run from today until Friday.

Speaking during the flagging off ceremony, Chief Officer for Gender, Culture and Social Services Abdulwahid Hussein said the caravan will travel through all wards, trade centres, markets and water points, carrying the anti-femicide and GBV message directly to the people.

"We are not waiting for our communities to come to us. We are going to them. This caravan demonstrates the County Government's commitment to address Femicide and GBV. It is an opportunity to remind every person that help exists, that reporting is possible, and that no one should suffer in silence," Hussein said.

He thanked development partners; MID-P, Mercy Corps and GDA for standing with the County Government of Isiolo on this journey.

Hussein noted the caravan is not just a journey through the county but a noble act of carrying a message that could save a life. He said the drive is to make Isiolo County a place where every woman, every girl, and every family is safe.

08/09/2026

ISIOLO STRENGTHENS EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT THROUGH NEW TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP

The County Government of Isiolo has launched a Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group to drive Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes across the county. The group brings together the county government, the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) and the Institute for Human Development at Aga Khan University.

The working group will coordinate education, health, nutrition and welfare interventions for young children, replacing a fragmented, sector by sector approach with an integrated one.

County Secretary Dade Boru said the group would prioritize the health and nutrition of children in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) programmes. He said a comprehensive policy framework was being developed for approval by the County Executive Committee, after which a detailed action plan would follow.

"We are fully committed to building a strong, coordinated framework that guarantees every child access to quality early learning, health and nutrition services," Boru said.

FCDC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Idle Farah welcomed the move, saying it would tighten coordination among stakeholders. He noted that Isiolo is now a pioneer among FCDC counties in establishing such a framework, positioning it to provide leadership to peer counties on foundational education.

Professor Amina Abubakar, Director of the Institute for Human Development at Aga Khan University, said the partnership had already generated new evidence to guide policy and practice on child development.

"The early years remain the most critical window for shaping a child's lifelong physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing," Professor Amina asserted, urging sustained investment in the sector.

CECM for Health Services Luqman Ahmed noted the progress made under Governor Guyo's administration in advancing ECD in Isiolo, and thanked Aga Khan Foundation and FCDC for their continued support.

"The working group will bring state and non-state actors together to coordinate multi-sectoral engagement and accelerate progress on early childhood development countywide," Luqman noted.

The Technical Working Group is expected to strengthen collaboration between government, partners and researchers, providing a coordinated platform for policies and interventions to improve early childhood outcomes in Isiolo County.

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

Power, Vulnerability and Protection: Isiolo Steps Up the Fight Against GBV

Isiolo County, one of the areas grappling most severely with Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country, has been ranked among the counties with the highest prevalence of the vice, with official reports placing the rate at 46 percent. This alarming figure has pushed county leadership and development partners to intensify efforts aimed at prevention, response, and safeguarding, particularly within ongoing development projects.

At a recent stakeholders' meeting held to deliberate on safeguarding measures under the World Bank funded Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP), officials underscored the urgent need to confront GBV and its related manifestations, including Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH), which often emerge in project environments due to power imbalances, dependency, and vulnerability among community members.

Speaking during the meeting, Godana Dida, Chief Officer for Agriculture and Irrigation, called for collective responsibility in tackling the vice.

"It is important that we address this pertinent issue either in our projects or at home and the workplace," he said, emphasizing that the fight against GBV cannot be left to one sector alone.

The FSRP safeguarding framework outlines key pillars including prevention, reporting and response, support and referral, accountability, and monitoring, evaluation and learning. Officials noted that SEA/SH risks can arise through project workers' interactions with community members, recruitment processes, community consultations, and distribution of project benefits, making vigilance essential across all stages of implementation.

Guiding principles anchoring the response include confidentiality, respect and consent, safety and security, and non-discrimination. A dedicated grievance mechanism has also been established, offering survivors multiple, confidential, and safe channels to report cases without fear of retaliation, alongside referral to health, psychosocial, legal and protection services.

As Isiolo continues to confront the sobering reality behind its GBV statistics, stakeholders agree that safeguarding must remain a shared commitment across institutions, projects, and households alike, if meaningful progress is to be achieved.

World Bank Kenya

07/09/2026

Three new County Public Service Board Members were sworn in today in a colorful ceremony at the Isiolo Municipal Grounds.

The new members are: Hellen Makena, Jarso Abdi Isaacko and Boru Ibrahim Bareda.

The swearing-in ceremony, administered by the County Attorney Hashim Mohamed Abdi, was graced by County Secretary Dade Boru.

Also present were other members of the County Public Service board led by the Chair Joseph Komu.