News and Events

Construction of water pan by National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) to support pastoralist in Lopeipuke village at the border of Katilu and Kaputir wards in Turkana South will commence soon after the site handover to contractor.

The water pan is part of the integrated landscape management, water harvesting and spate irrigation project being funded by World Bank and implemented by the County Government to support more than 57,000 people. It’s divided into a water and soil conservation through sustainable land management as well as construction of a water pan.

Implementation of the water pan project will enable nearby pastoralist community to get access to water for their livestock and domestic water by reducing the trekking distance.

Completion of the pan will supplement water deficiency in the area of 116,812.775 metres cubic by constructing a pan with a volume of 117,360 metres cubic.

County Executive for Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries, Philip Aemun, said that the world bank funded project would enhance effective livelihoods diversification as it would support food production as well as pasture for livestock.

He lauded residents of Kalemngorok and Kaputir for embracing the project and that it was a move in the right direction considering that the site was once a battlefield for cattle bandits.

CEC Aemun thanked the National Government for peace stability in the region and urged residents to support implementation of Government projects.

The County executive noted that the 80HA farm which is part of the Multi-Community Investment Project has created employment program for 800 youth and enabled 100 households to plant and harvest sorghum from the farms established with soil and conservation structure.

CEC Aemun spoke today when he led a team from the department of Agriculture together with local leaders in site handover for the proposed construction of Water pan that will benefit residents of Kaputir and Katilu wards.

He stated that the County Government would continue advocating for livelihoods diversification on farming and livestock rearing because of the changing climatic conditions.

CEC AEMUN said that the project would put value addition to livestock chains product by increasing goat/sheep productivity and profitability through integrated landscape management, water harvesting and spate irrigation.

He expressed optimism that proper implementation of the 97 million project was selected by the County Government as part of its food security agenda through an inclusive approach that caters for farming and at the same time bolstering livestock production.

County Chief Officer for Agriculture and land Reclamation Jacob Lolelea said that successful implementation of the project would help in surplus food production because of the peace stability being enjoyed in the region.  He warned the contractor against shoddy works noting that members of the public must get value for the money invested in the project.

The land scape management system is geared to increase land productivity and improve livelihoods by ensuring appropriate practices that enables land users to maximize the economic and social benefits from the land while maintaining the ecological support functions of the land resources.

Katilu ward MCA James Abei said that establishment of farms that has arable agricultural soil had created job opportunities for hundreds of youths in the area that had been abandoned initially because of insecurity.

NARIGP County coordinator Joseph Ekalale said that the project will enhance sorghum and livestock value chains.

Others who spoke included County Agriculture Director Paul Lokone and Turkana South Sub-County administrator Alexander Losikiria, among others.

County Executive Committee member (CEC) of Tourism, Culture and Natural Resources, George Emoru Emojong, said the use of technologies like the absorbent polymer for water retention in grow indigenous trees and sorghum will assist the county in reforestation and enhancing food security.
Speaking at the launch of the project at Lodwar Energy Centre – Nadapal-Nauriebu, the CEC also encourage residents of the county to plant more trees.
“We should plant trees to return Turkana as it was before with forests and full of wildlife. The destruction of the forests has led to climate change and also wildlife has migrated,” says CEC Emoru.
He further added that planting of trees is a collective responsibility which includes all government entities and the community working in partnership.
The research project, with a second site in Bishop Mohan area, is being done by Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and University of Edinburg. Apart from the planting of indigenous trees, the research will study the use of the same polymer on sorghum variety that is dual purpose; fodder and grain.
The Chief Officer of Agriculture, Dr. Jacob Lolelea said, “sorghum is an indigenous food for our people by adopting agricultural technologies then we can expand the arable land in the county.”
“With only 10 grams the polymer can retain water for up to three weeks, the research would like to know if it can work in such extreme areas like Turkana,” said Dr David Langat, the head of KEFRI Rift Valley Eco-Region.
He added that the research was expected to run for two years. He also appreciated the county government for partnering in the project to ensure its success.
In attendance was Research Scientist KALRO Kabete – Engineer Fabian Kaburu, KEFRI Deputy Regional Director for Rift Valley – Jesse Owino and Head of KEFRI Lodwar – Dr. Edward Mengich.

County Government efforts to achieve food security agenda received a boost as World Food Programme (WFP) donated eight motorcycles and ten hand-held tractors worth Kshs10.1 million.

The equipment will support extension officers in collaborating with County Government departments under the Sustainable Food System Program to improve access to projects sites to implement, monitor and coordinate joint activities.

County Executive for Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries Philip Aemun together with Chief officers, Dr. Jacob Lolelea (Agriculture and Land Reclamation) and Abdullahi Yussuf (Fisheries and Livestock Production), received the hand-held tractors and motorbikes that would also be distributed to County Disaster and Trade departments.

In his remarks, CEC Aemun said that the equipment would strengthen the capacity of the County Government on resilient livelihoods programs that are aimed at uplifting the welfare of the residents of Turkana.

He stated that the county government was committed to strengthening of agriculture through extension services and innovative means that would aid self-reliance through production of surplus food.

This, he said, would be done through interrogation of existing gaps that would provide robust roadmap geared towards having a sustainable farming system. He called for consideration of climate change factors while drawing designs for the partnership projects.

CEC Aemun informed the WFP officers that the department of Agriculture was leveraging on mechanised and commercial agriculture to bring more land under crop production for sustainability of livelihoods programs.

Under the partnership agreement, the county government and WFP have aligned their work plans to support the achievement of the joint goal of zero hunger as articulated in the County Integrated Development Plan 2018-2022 and WFP’s Country Strategic Plan 2018-2023.

Dr. Jacob Lolelea noted that the program have so far been impactful to communities and assured that the department would continue working together with WFP to successfully implement projects under the Sustainable Food System Program.

CO Abdullahi Yussuf thanked the partners for support and added that the motorbikes would enhance effective service delivery.

WFP Head of Lodwar Field Office, Ruth Amatala, said that the equipment donation were aimed at supporting extension services adding that the organisation would offer training on its usage.

Present during the launch were Directors Chammah  Lotome (Land Reclamation), Bobby Ekadon (Livestock Production), Deputy Directors Rachael Aroo (Administration), David Namwaya (Fisheries) and  Wilson Ejie (Trade).

By Governor’s Press Service

Turkana County Government has established a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to help the government mobilize resources to effectively address the current pandemic and has allocated an initial Sh479.8m through the supplementary a budget.

Governor Josphat Nanok has said that the County Government has committed Ksh 441m of the fund for relief food operations to serve 759,335 persons and 108,476 households at 50% food ration as part of efforts to cushion residents against the ravaging effects of Coronavirus.

“Because 70% of our livelihood in Turkana County is dependent on pastoralism, there is a need for my Government to cushion this population against vulnerability during this difficult period and in case of a lockdown”, he said today during a press briefing.

He revealed that the County Treasury will waive a total of Sh40.7m from agricultural produce cess, water distribution and drill services, health sector fees, educational institutions, liquor licensing, market fees and single business permits for salons, barbershops, restaurant and entertainment facilities that are contained in the Turkana County Finance Amendment Bill 2020 as an additional measure to address COVID-19.

The Governor has also directed a tax exemption on market collection fees in the months of April, May and June to cushion the citizens, both traders and household water users from the loss arising from COVID-19.

Governor Nanok who was addressing the media with other County leaders at the new County HQ complex said that  the County will clear  eligible pending bills worth Sh90 Million within one month to “improve liquidity and ensure businesses remain operational.”

He announced that a command centre will be set up at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH) and allocate Sh112m to cover expenses related to public sensitization, refurbishment of ICU facility, quarantine and isolation centres and to procure essential supplies to protect health care professionals and frontline staff and the public from the spread and effects of COVID-19.

He called on the National Government to increase the beneficiary numbers under the social safety net programme and appealed to well-wishers and private investors to cheap in and support the County Government on preparedness to the pandemic.

The County boss also announced that the County Water Department to waive water bills in Lodwar Municipality and Kakuma town, carry out water trucking and repairs of water facilities.

He said senior County Government officials had agreed to voluntary salary reductions as follows; Governor Sh.50,000, Deputy Governor Sh.30,000, County Executives, Chief Officers and other officers in job group-S taking a pay cut of Ksh 20,000 while County Directors will take a salary deduction of Ksh 10,000.

Governor Nanok called on the journalist to exercise fairness in their reporting and avoid misleading information that may cause panic among members of the public.

County Commissioner Wambua Muthama urged the public not to politicize the matter and assured that the police had beefed up security in the county.

Senator Malachy Ekal and Women Rep Joyce Emanikor urged the public to disregard of misleading reports that they had tested positive of coronavirus. The Senator commended the County Government for the response and preparedness and urged national security agencies to beef up security across Turkana.

Other leaders present included Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro, MPs James Lomenen (Turkana South), Lodepe Nakara (Turkana Central), Epuyo Nanok (Turkana west), Leader of Majority in the County Assembly Bethwel Kobongin and the Leader of Minority  Benedict Lokamar

Senior County Government Officials present included County secretary Peter Eripete; County Executives Jane Ajele (Health), Emathe Namuar (Finance and Economic Planning), Jenipher Nawoi (Lands), Esther Lokwei (Trade) and Chief of Staff Ekuwom Nakiporo.

Residents of Turkana have been urged to observe safety and hygiene measures to safeguard against the novel corona virus infection.

In a press briefing today at the County Government offices, the Governor called for strict observance of guidance on social distancing, handwashing and respiratory hygiene. He decried the lack of discipline in following the directives especially among residents of urban centres.

The Governor also announced a raft of measures by the County Government to fight spread of the disease.

He said the County Emergency Response Committee (CERC) which is chaired by the Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro will spearhead corona virus preparedness, prevention and response.

He added that screening points had been set up at entry and strategic areas while sub county teams with inclusion of County Health volunteers have begun community sensitization across the county.

Governor Nanok debunked the myth that the corona virus could not survive in warm temperatures and advised residents not to have a false sense of safety.

On businesses hiking prices of commodities, the Governor has warned those found guilty of taking advantage of the pandemic to increase prices of goods will have their business permits revoked.

He revealed that Governors in North Rift were in discussions to keep open supply chain of important commodities including food stuff to cushion consumers.

He said the County Government had begun supplying water to areas without water connection and to enable handwashing and other usage.

He said the County was planning this week to have non-essential staff go on leave to reduce overcrowding in government offices but ensure essenitial services were still available to the public.

On procurement of special equipment, the Governor said it was up to the government to supply equipment that the County Government cannot procure through KEMSA. He stated that construction of the ICU wing at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital will be fastracked to be ready in the event infections are reported.

He said the county had in store four-month stock of medicine and had ordered for the supply of another six-month stock.

The County boss termed the campaign against Corona virus as war against an unseen enemy and cautioned that with the virus overwhelming global superpowers such as the US, Kenyans needed to take heed of guidance issued.

DG Lotethiro announced that so far no case of COVID-19 infection has been reported and called for residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary movement which could put them at risk. He revealed that screening points set by the County Government were in Kainuk, Lokichar and Turkana University cess points, LCRH, Lodwar and Kakuma Airstrip, Lokichoggio Airport, Lodwar GK Prison among others.

County Commissioner Wambua Muthama said security officers will enforce directives by the government prohibiting openining of hotels and bars and other social gathering.

County Health and Sanitation Executive Jane Ajele announced that a Quarantine centre had been established at KMTC Lodwar and warned those who had recently returned from trips abroad and contravened directives to self-quarantine, will be forcefully quarantined at the facility.

By Governor’s Press Service

Background Information

A contagious respiratory disease that was first detected in Wuhan City,  Hubei Province in People’s Republic of China in December 2019 has spread to 146 Countries, including Kenya. This has necessitated WHO to declare Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19 a pandemic.

Kenya now has three confirmed cases of COVID 19.Turkana has not reported any case yet. As a result of this outbreak in the country, my Government has set up a 10 member County Emergency Response Team (CERT) comprising of National and County Government representatives. The team met on 16^th March, 2020 and reviewed the measures put in place by county department of health to contain the outbreak and to recommend practicable measures on mitigating the unfolding outbreak situation.

Measures put in place by Turkana County Government

My county has been in a preparedness state for the last four weeks in anticipation of this worsening outbreak situation.

Measures already put in place are:

1. We have formed a County COVID -19 Emergency Response Team (CERT) Chaired by myself and co-chaired by County Commissioner which will coordinate county outbreak response efforts.
2. We have formed a technical rapid response team whose role is to train health workers, sensitize members of public, draw up a preparation plan, help in early identification of cases and overally manage the outbreak on day to day basis in case it hits Turkana.
3. We have identified and mapped out all potential entry points in Turkana. In the risk profiling already done, the identified high risk areas are: Lodwar, Kakuma, Kapese airstrips and Lokichoggio airport. Kainuk, Lokichar, Turkana University, Kakuma, Kalokol cess stations on top of Kapedo village, GK Prison and Nadapal, Lokiriama and Todonyang are all high priority areas for our interventions. Medium priority areas are Nawountos and Nakitongo informal border points. Screening and holding points have been set up in Lodwar airstrip and Lokichoggio airport. The other airstrips will be coveredin the next 48 hours in collaboration with UNHCR and Tullow Oil. Kainuk cess station has been conducting screening for the last three days. We have also in collaboration with the National Government set up screening points at International border point of Nadapal. Lokiriama border point will be fully operational as a screening point in the next 48 hours.
4. Setting up of isolation units and holding areas at the County Referral Hospital, Sub County hospitals and all points of entry has been done. In total we have 57 isolation beds in 12 facilities spread across the county.
5. Immediately began health education, public sensitizations and mass awareness on COVID 19 disease through radios, schools and other communication channels like PAS and CHV’s for nomadic communities. In this regard, 19,374 people have been reached so far with hand washing and prevention messages.
6. Heightened surveillance at points of entry and across the county.
7. Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment and Screening gear to the identified risk sites.
8. We have established an incident command centre with free toll number for members of public to call in case of a suspected case or in the event they want additional information. The number for Turkana County is 0758722023. An additional toll number will be available in the next 48 hours.
9. Monitoring of 7 foreign nationals on self-quarantine in the county of which 4 of them have completed monitoring period and have been given a clean bill of health whilst the remaining 3 will complete their self-quarantine on 18^th March 2020.
10. Set aside three designated ambulances to be stationed in Lokichar, Lodwar and Makutano for purposes of referral of cases to Isolation points.
11. Capacity building of 7 initial staff who are currently undergoing training as Trainer of Trainees on lab sample collection and clinical management of COVID 19.

Going forward, I implore members of the public to adhere to the following precautions;

1. Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for more than 20 seconds, or frequently use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Maintain a distance of at least 2 meter (6 feet) between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you have to touch them ensure your hands have been cleaned first.
4. Shaking of hands is not advisable at this point as it may accelerate person to person transmission of COVID – 19
5. Persons with fever cough or sneezing should stay at home or keep a social distance, and avoid mixing with others in a crowd. They should also call the toll free number for advice.
6. Maintain good respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing. Use a single use disposable tissue, or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
7. Due to extreme climatic conditions experienced in Turkana where the days are very hot and the nights very cold, I herby advice all the residence to go to bed with warm clothes to protect themselves from vagaries of cold weather.

In Exercise of the authority vested upon my office, and in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Act, Cap 242 Laws of Kenya, the general public is notified of the following directives which should be observed immediately;

1. All public gatherings of more than 20 people are hereby banned. In this respect, harambees, faith based gatherings, funerals(only restricted to immediate family members), weddings, social congregations are hereby discouraged till further notice.
2. All Early Childhood Centres (ECD’s) and vocational training centres have been directed to close with immediate effect.
3. All seminars and trainings are suspended unless authorized by the office of county secretary.
4. All official travels out of the county and county by staff are hereby suspended with immediate effect unless it’s of an emergency nature. Private travels outside the county are discouraged unless they are essential.
5. All public offices, hospitals, malls, banks, restaurants, nights clubs, market stalls and hotels are directed to provide hand-washing facilities with running water with soap or alcohol based hand sanitizers.
6. All discos and night clubs are banned
7. Hospital visits will be limited to very critical caretakers; in any case 1 patient will only be allowed 1 caretaker. No visitors to hospitals will be allowed till further notice.
8. All offices will have to put mechanisms of spacing of staff at work place, to at least 2 metres (6 feet apart) in place. Non-essential visitors to offices are discouraged.
9. In collaboration with the national government, plans are underway to decongest Lodwar G.K Prison by immediate release of 125 petty offenders. Unnecessary visits to police stations are discouraged.
10. All public transport providers including bodabodas, taxis, matatus, and buses are directed to provide alcohol based sanitizers and frequently fumigate their motorcycles or vehicles.
11. All communication on COVID-19 progress in Turkana County will be availed by the County Department of Health.
12. Spitting in public places or gatherings is hereby banned.
13. My Government shall fast track recruitment of Health Care workers to help in combating this pandemic.

I hereby urge the people of Turkana County to be calm and avoid unnecessary panic at this time. We have a toll free number of 0758722023 for any information related to COVID-19.

Regular updates shall be provided periodically as the outbreak unfolds.

God bless you all and keep safe.

HE Hon. Josphat Koli Nanok EGH

Governor,

Turkana County.

Governor Nanok has arrived at Ekaales Centre to join other elected and opinion leaders from different parts of Turkana for discussion over the Building Bridges Initiative’s report.

Cabinet Secretary for Petroleum and Energy John Munyes; Legislators Ali Lokiru (Turkana East), James Lomenen (Turkana South), Jeremiah Lomurkai (Loima), Christopher Nakuleu (Turkana North), Women Representative Joyce Emanikor and Senator Malik Ekal have also arrived.

County Assembly Speaker Erastus Lokaale is leading a delegation of MCAs.

Senior County Government officials present include Deputy County Secretary Robert Loyelei; County Executives Emathe Namuar (Water, Environment and Mineral Resources), Jane Ajele (Health and Sanitation), Charles Lokiyoto (Tourism and Natural Resources), Esther Lokwei (Public Service and Disaster Management) and Chris Aletia (Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries).

Professionals, members of the clergy and members of the public drawn from across the 30 wards of Turkana are also present.

The meeting will come up with recommendations from Turkana in form of a memorandum, which will be presented to the BBI taskforce led by Yusuf Haji in the March 21 BBI rally in Nakuru.
By Governor’s Press Service