assistALL App Launched To Support Deaf Patients In Turkana County
Matters Disability Updated: 18 March 2026 13:56 EAT
Photo Courtesy: Signs Media Kenya Limited
The assistALL App, developed by Signs Media Kenya, was officially launched on 18th March 2026 at Solmar Hotel in Lodwar. The app aims to provide on-demand sign language interpretation services to deaf patients visiting health facilities in Turkana County.
The launch was conducted in partnership with the Turkana County Government, which seeks to improve communication between healthcare providers and deaf patients, enhancing access to essential health services.
Over 50 healthcare officers from sub-county and county referral facilities have undergone disability mainstreaming training, including instruction on using the assistALL App to facilitate communication with patients with hearing impairments.
Originally developed during the Covid-19 pandemic to bridge communication gaps between healthcare providers and deaf patients, the app is now being applied in other sectors, including higher education, healthcare, the judicial system, and banking.
The app creates employment opportunities for qualified sign language interpreters, allowing them to earn a consistent income while reducing travel costs, as the service operates remotely through mobile devices.
assistALL operates on a per-second billing system, costing as little as Kes. 30 per minute, and is currently functional in Nairobi, Busia, and Mandera Counties’ hospitals.
The app is freely available on Google Play, iOS, and Mpesa Super App, with over 20,000 downloads, more than 600 registered interpreters, and over 85,000 minutes of calls completed.
In addition, the deaf community and interpreters in Turkana County are being trained in digital literacy under the Enhancing Digital Access and Community Resilience (EDACR) program, funded by the UK Government and implemented by KICTANet and ICTA, to strengthen digital skills and economic opportunities across arid and semi-arid counties in Kenya.
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FELIX MAKONA
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