Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga examines a resident of Uyoma for blood pressure during a medical camp held on November 7, 2025./HANDOUT
At sunrise, 69-year-old mama Atieno was already on the dusty road to Uyoma trading centre, her walking stick tapping steadily against the ground. She had lost her national ID years ago and, with it, access to basic services.
“I came to get my ID replaced,” she said, clutching the new waiting card hours later. “Today, I feel seen.”
A few metres away, James Omondi, a fisherman from Lwanda Konyango,
waited in line with his wife and two children. “We rarely see doctors here,” he
said. “My wife has been unwell, and today she got to see a specialist for the
first time. This gives us hope.”
Their stories mirror the relief and gratitude shared by thousands of residents who turned up for the Mega Medical and Public Service Camp in Uyoma—a joint outreach that brought healthcare and government services directly to the people.
The one-day camp, held on November 7,2025 drew an estimated 9,500 residents from across Uyoma and neighbouring communities. The outreach, spearheaded by Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, was supported by a wide network of national referral hospitals, universities, and government agencies.
By evening, over 3,000 residents had received medical attention, while another 2,000 accessed key public services — including birth and ID registration, certificates of good conduct, marriage registration, and legal aid.
“From as early as 7 a.m., the turnout was overwhelming — a powerful indication that citizens value government that meets them where they are,” said Dr. Oluga. “I may have gotten a bit emotional seeing how much this means to them.”
The demand for national documents was so high that the government extended registration services to the following day.
The medical outreach offered screening, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide range of conditions. Residents were tested for cancer (cervical, breast, and prostate), diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and liver and kidney disorders.
Rapid testing was also conducted for malaria, typhoid, HIV, pneumonia, and tuberculosis, using AI-enabled X-rays to aid early detection of respiratory illnesses.
Children received paediatric tests and vaccinations, while specialist teams performed eye surgeries, dental procedures, and mental health assessments.
Mary Oduor, a clinician who was part of the medical team, said the cases encountered reflected the health gaps in rural areas.
“We met many people who have lived with undiagnosed chronic conditions. Early detection here could change — and even save — lives,” she said.
Beyond healthcare, the event also focused on community education and safety. Over 800 fishermen attended sessions led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on handling explosives, detecting counterfeit currency, and promoting safety on Lake Victoria.
The day closed with a sports tournament that drew hundreds of youth from local villages, promoting wellness, unity, and positive engagement.
The outreach brought together key partners including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital, Mater Hospital, Spinal Injury Hospital, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Ruai Family Hospital, Kisumu Medical Education Trust, Siaya County Referral Hospital, Zuri Health, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Maseno University, and Masinde Muliro University.
Dr. Oluga said the event reflected the government’s renewed commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the decentralisation of public services.
“The Uyoma camp underscores the power of inter-agency collaboration in improving access to quality healthcare and government services in rural areas,” he said. “It reaffirms citizens’ appreciation for a government that serves them directly.”
As dusk settled over Lake Victoria, residents lingered at the venue, reluctant to leave. For Mary Achieng, a young mother from Nyamonye, the day had brought more than services — it had restored confidence in government care.
“Today I got my baby’s birth certificate and a health check-up for myself,” she said. “It feels like the government finally came to us.”
For the people of Uyoma, the day was not just about treatment or paperwork — it was about dignity, inclusion, and the reassurance that they had not been forgotten.
