Siaya, Kenya – October 9, 2025
Residents of Siaya County flocked to the County Executive Headquarters and County Assembly on Thursday for free eye check-ups as part of activities marking World Sight Day. The event, themed around promoting universal access to quality eye care, was organized in partnership with three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working alongside the County Government through the Department of Health.
The NGOs took the opportunity to present a comprehensive health petition to Governor James Orengo, County Assembly Speaker George Okode, and Chief Officer for Health Dr. Samuel Omondi, calling for stronger government commitment to improving eye health services.
In their petition, the organizations urged the County Assembly to prioritize quality, affordable, and equitable eye care in Siaya’s health agenda, noting that access to such services remains limited—especially in rural and underserved areas. They proposed that eye care be integrated into the county’s broader healthcare system to ensure sustainability and reach.
“We are calling for the County Government to take eye care to the people, not the other way around,” the petition read in part, emphasizing the need for community-level outreach and preventive eye health education.
The NGOs further raised concerns over the rising burden of eye disease in Siaya, revealing that eye morbidity currently stands at about 15 percent, yet the sector receives a disproportionately small share of the health budget. They called for increased funding and human resource allocation to eye health, saying that the gap between disease burden and budgetary support remains a major obstacle to achieving better vision outcomes.
“Eye care is not just about treatment—it’s about improving quality of life,” noted one of the petitioners. “Without proper investment in human resources, equipment, and awareness, preventable blindness will continue to affect families and productivity.”
Among the key demands were:
Increased budget allocations for eye health programs.
Recruitment and deployment of more eye care professionals, including ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Enhanced public education and advocacy on eye health to promote early detection and prevention.
Integration of eye care services into primary health care facilities across all sub-counties.
Governor Orengo commended the initiative, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening health systems and supporting preventive healthcare measures. Speaker Okode also assured the petitioners that the County Assembly would deliberate on the recommendations presented to ensure that eye health receives the attention and resources it deserves.
As the world marked World Sight Day, the event in Siaya served as a reminder that good vision is a cornerstone of human well-being and development—and that proactive investment in eye care can transform lives across communities.
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