The Turkana County Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Days for Girls Kenya (DfGK) to provide custom-made menstrual and postpartum kits to up to 4,000 women and girls in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee settlements over the next three years.
The partnership aims to improve menstrual health, promote dignity, and reduce period poverty among vulnerable women and girls in both refugee and host communities.
The MoU was signed by Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus on behalf of the county government and Annette Muchendiza, Country Program Manager for Days for Girls Kenya, representing the organization. The signing was witnessed by Ekal Lokuruka, Director for Litigation, Legal Audit and Compliance, on behalf of the Office of the County Attorney.
Under the agreement, Days for Girls Kenya will begin implementing the project with an initial six-month phase targeting 2,426 women and girls living in refugee camps. Additionally, 800 postpartum mothers from the host community will receive specially designed postpartum kits.
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Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Erus welcomed the partnership and directed the organization to work closely with the County Steering Group (CSG) to ensure proper coordination of development interventions.
“It is important to note that the County has created a structure for coordination of interventions by development partners at the CSG. I therefore direct Days for Girls to join the CSG and find the right sector working group moving forward,” Dr. Erus said.
Days for Girls Kenya said the initiative seeks to restore dignity to women and girls while addressing harmful stigma surrounding menstruation and postpartum health.
According to County Program Manager Annette Muchendiza, the project will also focus on changing community perceptions through education and awareness.
“One of our project objectives is to assist society to change its perception. This we will achieve through training to inculcate positive attitude towards menstruation and postpartum health,” she said.
Beyond distributing reusable menstrual and postpartum kits, the three-year programme will generate data to guide future interventions, deliver menstrual and postpartum health education using an internationally recognized curriculum, and advocate for integrating menstrual and postpartum health service into humanitarian programmes operating in the region.
The project is expected to strengthen menstrual health management in Turkana’s refugee settings while improving access to reproductive health information and promoting the dignity and well-being of women and girls.
Among those present during the signing ceremony were Gladys Arika, Director of KISEDP Clinical Service; Imoit Seamus Ekuwam, Director of KISEDP Education and Social Protection; Mike Aupe, Deputy Director of Partnerships; and Simon Mobegi, Menstrual Health Educator at Days for Girls Kenya.
