Baringo County Sees Major Gains in Trachoma Fight, But Challenges Remain
By Isaac Kogei
Baringo County is making remarkable strides in the fight against trachoma, a leading cause of preventable blindness, thanks to collaborative efforts between the County Government and partners such as The Fred Hollows Foundation.
According to Dr. Gilbert Baayenda of the Fred Hollows Foundation, Baringo has made “excellent progress” toward eliminating trachoma as a public health issue. However, he notes that some areas — particularly parts of Tiaty and East Pokot — still require one to three more rounds of mass drug administration (MDA). He also emphasized the continued need for promoting facial cleanliness and improving sanitation across affected regions.
Trachoma remains particularly prevalent in Tiaty East and West sub-counties. Baseline data from 2012–2017 revealed an alarming prevalence rate of 34.4%. Despite MDA campaigns and other interventions, the disease has persisted in these hard-to-reach communities, threatening both individual wellbeing and community livelihoods.
Governor Benjamin Cheboi highlighted the critical role of partnerships in tackling the disease. “The Baringo County Government, in collaboration with organizations like the Fred Hollows Foundation, has been running MDA campaigns, raising awareness, and closely monitoring implementation activities,” he said.
These joint efforts are bearing fruit. A recent survey conducted between 2022 and 2023 shows a dramatic drop in trachoma prevalence — from 34.4% to just 4.4%.
While this progress is encouraging, health officials warn that sustained efforts are needed to fully eliminate the disease. Continued education, hygiene promotion, and targeted drug distribution remain essential to securing a trachoma-free future for Baringo’s most vulnerable communities.
