LODWAR, KENYA – A unique choir of 45 elderly women in Turkana, Kenya, is using the power of song to deliver critical public health messages, significantly boosting child immunisation rates. The "Women for Peace" choir from Lodwar town recently played a vital role in a 10-day campaign launched on July 4, 2025, to vaccinate children against measles, rubella, and typhoid. This innovative approach helps close dangerous immunity gaps in a region struggling with low vaccination coverage and recent disease outbreaks. ^[1][2]### Music's Powerful Message The Women for Peace choir, under the guidance of retired teacher Locheria Albert, has been performing together since 2018. A^[1]lbert composed the campaign song in just one day after receiving information from health officials. The choir needed only a single day to learn the new music before heading to the recording studio. T^[1]heir powerful lyrics urged parents, "You, father, you, mother, and everybody, take up the role of ensuring every child is vaccinated." T^[1]hey specifically sang about protecting children aged nine to 59 months from measles and rubella, and children aged nine months to 14 years from typhoid. ^[1]Public health officials in Turkana County stress the effectiveness of music in conveying health messages. Ruth Areman, Turkana County Health Promotion Officer, stated that when people use songs, the message is retained. She added that songs are more powerful than people sitting in a workshop. E^[1]mal Ekaran, County Deputy Public Health Director, affirmed that music cannot be ignored when it comes to changing mindsets and expanding the reach of immunisation campaigns. C^[1]ynthia Maraka, a mother of two in Lodwar, heard the song and felt the message directly. Maraka was not keen on the vaccination campaign because of her long work hours. However, the song's direct appeal prompted her to take her children for their vaccines and encourage her friends to do the same. ^[1]### Tackling Turkana's Immunisation Gap Turkana County faces significant challenges in achieving high immunisation coverage. Current data suggests the county's full immunisation rate hovers around 60%, falling short of the national benchmark of 80%. S^[1]ome earlier surveys indicated an even lower rate of 29% in 2022, a sharp drop from 62% in 2014. A^[3] concerning 11.4% of children in some catchment areas are "zero-dose," meaning they have not received any vaccines at all. ^[1]The low vaccination rates have led to serious health consequences. Turkana experienced a measles outbreak in 2022, and Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus linked a recent measles outbreak in July 2025 to growing immunity gaps in the population. T^[1][4]he campaign aimed to administer 177,108 doses of measles-rubella vaccine to children aged nine to 59 months. I^[2]t also prepared nearly 545,000 doses of typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) for children aged nine months to 14 years. I^[1][2]n July 2024, Turkana County also confirmed four polio cases, highlighting the urgent need for sustained immunisation efforts. ^[5]### Overcoming Unique Challenges Turkana County, Kenya's second largest, spans over 71,000 square kilometers of arid land, presenting immense logistical hurdles for healthcare delivery. L^[3][5]ong distances between homes and health facilities, sometimes up to 40 kilometers, without affordable transport options, make it difficult for families to access services. T^[1][6]he nomadic lifestyle of many pastoralist communities further complicates vaccination schedules, as families frequently move in search of water and pasture. T^[7][3]his transient population can miss crucial follow-up doses. ^[8][7]Beyond geography and lifestyle, misinformation and disinformation about vaccines also contribute to poor health-seeking behavior. T^[1][7]he county has also faced vaccine stock-outs, with officials warning in April 2025 that supplies might not last through the quarter due to logistical challenges and donor funding gaps. ^[8]To address these complex issues, Turkana County has adopted several innovative strategies. The "Kimormor" initiative, meaning "all together" in Turkana, combines human and animal health services at single outreach clinics. T^[3][9]his approach recognizes the community's deep value for livestock, encouraging men to bring their children for vaccination when they bring their animals for veterinary care. T^[3]he county has also engaged Community Health Promoters (CHPs) who conduct home visits, educate families, and refer children for immunisation, especially targeting "zero-dose" children. P^{[6][10][11][12][13]}artnerships with faith-based organisations also help reach remote and rural areas. ^[7]The Women for Peace choir's musical outreach is a powerful example of how local cultural practices can effectively bridge the gap between health services and hard-to-reach communities. By transforming vital health information into compelling songs, the choir helps overcome historical barriers and encourages families to protect their children against preventable diseases, fostering a healthier future for Turkana.

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