A mobile application connecting deaf patients to certified sign language interpreters has launched in Turkana County, offering on-demand interpretation services at public health facilities across one of Kenya’s most remote regions.
The assistALL app, developed by Nairobi-based Signs Media Kenya, was rolled out in partnership with the Turkana County Government to address communication barriers that have long hindered deaf individuals from accessing medical care. More than 50 healthcare officers from sub-county facilities and the county referral hospital completed disability mainstreaming training, which included hands-on instruction in using the app.
Healthcare workers in Turkana can now access interpreters instantly during consultations, ensuring deaf patients receive accurate information about diagnoses, treatments and follow-up care.
“Healthcare workers in Turkana can now access interpreters instantly during consultations.”
How the app works
The app operates by connecting users directly to qualified interpreters via video call, eliminating travel logistics for both patients and interpreters. It uses a per-second billing model, with rates starting at KSh 30 per minute. The app is available for free download on Google Play, the iOS App Store and the M-Pesa Super App.
Originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic — when masks blocked lip-reading and deepened communication barriers for deaf individuals — assistALL has since expanded beyond healthcare into higher education, banking and the judicial sector.
Reach and impact
The platform has recorded more than 20,000 downloads, registered over 600 qualified interpreters and logged more than 85,000 minutes of interpreted calls. It is already operational in hospitals across Nairobi, Busia and Mandera counties. Turkana marks its first deployment in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands region.
The expansion also creates economic opportunities for interpreters by linking them to a wider pool of clients across sectors and counties.
Digital literacy training for lasting impact
Alongside the app launch, deaf community members and sign language interpreters in Turkana are receiving digital literacy training under the Enhancing Digital Access and Community Resilience program. The initiative is implemented by KICTANet and the ICT Authority with funding from the U.K. Government through its Digital Access Program, targeting eight arid and semi-arid counties across Kenya.
The training equips participants to navigate smartphones, online platforms and the assistALL app, pairing technology deployment with skill-building to support long-term digital inclusion.
