News and Events

Lodwar, 22nd September (By Governor’s Press Service)

The County Government of Turkana has demanded for transparency from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining on mining, oil and gas operations in the county.

In a letter dated 21st September 2020 addressed to the Cabinet Secretary John Munyes, Governor Josphat Nanok has raised issues with disregard of laws and regulations governing the mining sector on issuance of licenses to companies engaged in exploration of gold, gemstones and other precious stones without involvement of the County Government.

“The Mining Act No. 12 of 2016 stipulates that the distribution ration of royalties due from the license holder as 70% of the National Government, 20% for the County Government and 10% for the local community where the operations are based.

“The Act is also clear that the County Government must give consent before a license is issued and approved by the Mining Rights Board. The Mining (Community Development Agreement) Regulations 2017 also establishes the committee that formulates the community development agenda for the license holder with respect to that particular community,” Governor Nanok says in the letter.

He faults the Ministry for engaging 24 mining companies with interest in gold and gemstone without consulting the County Government and for failure to disclose data from reconnaissance and prospecting licenses issued for the county to ascertain what is due to both the County and local community as well as nature of the licenses issued.

The Governor adds that operation of the mining companies must lead to sustainable development of the local community.

On oil operations by Tullow Oil, the Governor raises concern on the lack of communication on decision by the British company to suspend operations last November and reversal of this decision last May.

“Since Tullow suspended its operations in November 2019 and after it invoked Force Majeure Clause on 15th May 2020 for both Block 13T and 10BB, I have not received any formal communication from the State department of Petroleum,” he said. He adds that much was expected from the National Government for better communication as the County Government was a major stakeholder.

The Governor calls for ‘deeper, regular and deliberate stakeholder engagement’ to ensure transparency and accountability to build public confidence in the extractives sector.

Lodwar, 21st September (Governor’s Press Service).

Governor Josphat Nanok has urged partners to collaborate with the County Government by strengthening partnership to enhance service delivery to the residents of Turkana.

Speaking when he hosted a team from the British High Commission in Nairobi at the County headquarters today, the Governor said that County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) will be fully implemented if the County Government and partners work together to avoid duplication of prioritized projects.

He cited the UN Delivery as One programme and the Kalobeyei Integrated Social Economic Development Programme (KISEDP) as good examples of structured partnership in implementation of joint development activities.

He added that this allows for implementation of plans in tandem with the government as well as ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of projects for sustainability. “All UN programs are planned and implemented through Delivery as One Programme,” he said.

Governor Nanok said last week a water reticulation project was opened in Urum in Loima Sub-County as part of promoting cross border peace between North Eastern Uganda, Turkana and West Pokot.

The project was funded by the County Government, National Government and UNDP following an MOU on cross-border peace and development signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Yoweri Museveni last September.

He appealed to the UK government to help the County Government in alleviating poverty in the region that is still riddled with challenges in health, water and food security which has worsen due to climate change effects. He added that though over the seven years of devolution there has been improvement in these sectors.

He revealed that his government has invested in ECDE by providing modern learning centers and teachers but transition to primary has become a major challenge due to inadequate education infrastructure.

He said that there is an urgent need for the National Government to collaborate with the County Government in this regard to improve pupil transition rate.

While briefing the British High Commission team, Governor Nanok said that the County Government recruitment of Community Health Volunteers has improved access to healthcare.

Development Director at the British High Commission in Nairobi, Richard Erlebach said that UK Government is proud to support the County Government in its devolution journey.

He said that the commission is supporting Oxford University in its planned water and sanitation project in Lodwar Municipality and other development sectors across the county.

Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro said that currently the county is facing severe effects from climate change and need to be supported in its mitigation efforts.

Senior County Government officials present were Deputy County Secretary Robert Loyelei; Executives Emathe Namuar (Finance and Economic Planning), Chris Aletia (Water, Enviroment and Mineral Resources), Philip Aemun (Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries) and Jane Ajele (Health and Sanitation).

Accompanying Director Erlebach was Regional Governance Advisor for Northern Kenya Joseph Akure, Team Leader Poverty, Hunger and Vulnerability Anthony Njage, Population Services Project Director Josphine Mbiyu and Deputy Head of Communication Joy Odero.

Lodwar, 17th September— The Turkana County Agriculture Sector Steering Committee ( CASSCOM)whose main objective is to facilitate coordination, cooperation and consultation of stakeholders and partners in the agriculture sector to ensure economic development and food security has been inaugurated today in Lodwar

The committee which will be chaired by Agriculture,Pastoral Economy and Fisheries County Executive has been tasked to transform crop,livestock and fisheries production into commercial oriented enterprises to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security through selected value chains projects in Turkana.

The committee secretariat will draw members from County departments of Agriculture, Livestock, Veterinary Services, Cooperative, Trade, Fisheries, Water and Irrigation among others.

In his address, CEC Aemun said that agriculture was a critical component in social-economic development in Arid and Semi-Arid areas noting that establishment of producer cooperatives and improvement of abattoirs in Turkana was meant to add value additions to livestock and crops farmers products.

He acknowledged the role played by development partners in achievement of the food security agenda and emphasized on the need by officers from the National and County Goverments to collaborate and work together for successful of implementation of the Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme II (ASDSP) projects that is being jointly funded by Swedish Government,National and County Governments.

To strengthen food production systems,CEC Aemun stated that engagements on Public-Private partnerships with private sectors and other interested investors would unlock the untapped potentials on host of value chains and also contribute towards commercialization of agriculture through pooling of resources.

County Chief Officer for Agriculture and Land Reclamation Dr. Jacob Lolelea said that formation of the committee was an “eye opener” on food security perspective as they will champion implementation and review of the programs while his Livestock Production and Fisheries counterpart Abdullahi Yussuf called for teamwork from the committee for effective coordination.

County Agriculture Director Paul Lokone who is a member of Joint Agriculture Sector Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism(JASSCOM) said that research,extension and capacity building aspects in the agricultural sector was key towards commercialization of agriculture and livestock in Turkana.

ASDSP II County Coordinator Boniface Okita said that CASSCOM was formed to strengthen collaboration and linkages in the Public-Private partnerships in the management and delivery of agricultural sector services at the County level.

Kerio Division Assistant County Commissioner who represented the County Commissioner’s office assured of the National Government support towards successful implementation of the ASDSP II project.

Also present were FAO head of Lodwar Field Office Dan Irura and Mr.Benson Ebei from the National Council of People with Disabilities.

Urum, 13th September (Governor’s Press Service)

Devolution and ASALs Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Governor Josphat Nanok today led celebrations to commemorate the first anniversary of the Kenya-Uganda MOU on cross-border peace and development.

The leaders commissioned the Sh16.5Million Urum water reticulation Peace Dividend Project a partnership by the County Government, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with technical assistance from the Ministry of Devolution and ASALs.

Governor Nanok said the project was a beginning of reaping fruits of the MOU and termed it a demonstration of the productive partnership between governments to meet communities’ needs. He said the community had identified water shortage as it’s biggest problem which prompted President Uhuru to direct construction of three dams in Turkana, West Pokot, Marsabit, Samburu and Baringo. The MOU was signed by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and President Uhuru Kenyata last Septermber.

On the Sh250M strategic and multipurpose dam set to be constructed in Namoni-ang’ikaala in Loima, CS Wamalwa assured that a team of experts from the Ministry of Water will visit the area to iron out technical aspects before construction begin.

He explained that the project as a dividend for cross-border peace was meant to emulate similar investment by the Government of Uganda in Kobebe which has benefited communities on both sides of the Kenya and Uganda border.

To address the challenge of insecurity raised by residents of Urum, the CS promised to bring Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiangi on board to assess the situation and explore a possibility for establishing police posts in vulnerable areas. The CS announced that his Ministry, through the peace programme, will construct a peace school for communities in the area.

The Governor called for the National Government to fasttrack construction of the Namoni-ang’ikaala dam to end strife for water by pastrolists in the area.

He raised concern on the lack of primary education infrastructure in the area and warned that the problem was a cause for poor transition rate from ECDEs. The Governor urged the area MP to follow up on funds donated by the World Bank meant to construct classrooms that he said the National Ministry of Education had not spent.

Once again, the County boss reiterated his stand not to allow 2022 succession politics distract his administration from deligent service delivery and has assured residents of Turkana that his focus is to deliver on mandate to them in the remaining period of his second term.

He cautioned aspirants against causing disharmony within the County Government and called for objective issue-based politics. He stated that all leaders with positions in government and holding elective seats, had a responsibility to deliver to the public and will be measured on their performance rather than empty rhetorics.

On the BBI report, the Governor declared that Turkana leaders were reserving judgement on calls for a referendum until the final report is released. He cautioned against blind support for proposals whose contents have not been seen.

UNDP Chief Technical Advisor for Cross-border Programme in Kenya Dr Asfaw Kumsa said they will endeavour to partner with government to invest in additional water projects to meet demand by residents.

County Executive for Water, Environment and Mineral Resources Chris Aletia announced that the County was drilling an additional borehole to compliment the Urum water project launched today.

CS Wamalwa was accompanied by Senate Leader of Majority Samuel Poghisio who urged Turkana leaders to shun divisive politics and work together. PS for Devolution and ASALs Micah Powon was also present.

Other leaders who spoke were CS for Petroleum and Mining John Munyes, Loima MP Jeremiah Lomurkai, Lorengippi/Lokiriama MCA Patrick Imana and his Kotaruk/Lobei counterpart William Ebenyo.

County Secretary Peter Eripete led senior County Government staff present who included CECMs Benson Lokwang (Public Service, Administration and Disaster Management) Philip Aemun (Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries) and Jennifer Nawoi (Lands); Chief Officer for Water Moses Natome; Advisors Protus Akuja (Extractives), Boniface Korobe (Culture and Heritage) Phoebe Kaaman (Partnerships, Gender and Children Affairs) and Rebecca Lowoiya (Politics and Intergovernmental Relations).

Lodwar, September 11th ( Governor’s Press Service)— Turkana leaders have agreed with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) that social infrastructure projects from the World Bank-funded Lokichar-Nakodok road project will be distributed to benefit all sub-counties.

Governor Josphat Nanok reiterated his stand that the road being a trunk highway was a national project, the entire Turkana was a catchment area and CSR projects had to be spread across the county. He explained that products to be transported through the road came from across Turkana and will therefore benefit even regions far away from the highway.

He agreed that the road will open up the county to more trade and investment opportunities and maintained that the CSR projects will be spent to develop supporting infrastructure to ensure the region benefits to these opportunities.

The Governor said the consultation with the leadership forum and County Government officials was to agree on projects picked in every sub-county as well as familiarise leaders with the MoU signed between the County and KeNHA last July.

Through the MOU, the County Government committed to waive levies and fees charged on construction material for infrastructure projects while KeNHA committed to among others invest Sh2.8 billion in infrastructure projects as part of community social responsibility (CSR).

Governor Nanok added that the County Government role in implementation of the MOU was to strengthen collaboration in projects implemented by KeNHA through monitoring and ultimately, in handing over of projects on completion.

He said the County Government had waived billions of shillings in royalties and taxes and was invested to ensure successful implementation.

KeNHA Deputy Director for Development Eng. John Ndinika told the leader that the Authority was guided by the community on choice of projects. He said that key objectives of the road project was to facilitate transport and cross-border trade as well as improve accessibility of Turkana County. He revealed that another aspect of the project was the laying of fibre optic cable from Eldoret to Nakodok.

Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro encouraged KeNHA to maintain a uniform standard of tarmac in the entire road from Kainuk to Nakodok, and ensure the project is completed with less than 15 months left in the implementation period.

The legislatures led by Turkana North MP and Chairman MPs’ caucus, Christopher Nakuleu urged KeNHA to speed up the roll out of the projects.

The leaders have agreed that the funds will be invested in high impact projects within the critical sectors of health, education, water as well as to boost trade and support food security.

The leaders appreciated KeNHA for the consultation with both the leaders and local communities.

Other leaders who participated in the discussions include MPs John Lodepe (Turkana Central), James Lomenen (Turkana South), Ali Lokiru (Turkana East), Jeremiah Lomurkai (Loima) and Epuyo Nanok (Turkana West); Speaker of the County Assembly Ekitela Lokaale and Leader of Majority in the Assembly Bethwel Kobong’in.

Senior County Government officials present included Deputy County Secretary Robert Loyelei, County Executives Emathe Namuar (Finance and Economic Planning), Chris Aletia (Water, Environment and Mineral Resources), Jennifer Nawoi (Lands); Chief Officers Rosemary Nchinyei (Roads), Moses Natome (Water), Pauline Lokuruka (Education, Sports and Social Protection).

Others were Chief of Staff Ekuwom Nakiporo, Advisors Protus Akuja (Extractives) and Rebecca Lowoiya (Politics and Intergovernmental Relations) among others.

Delegation from KeNHA also included Assistant Director Eng. Julius Mak’Odero.

Nakwamoru, 8th September—Agriculture County Executive Philip Aemun has urged officials of National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) to move from piloting on small scale value chains to larger ones in line with the Sustainable development goal of achieving zero hunger to enable the County Government achieve its agenda of food security.

CEC Aemun said ending perennial cases of relief food cycles called for commercialization of Agriculture on big irrigation schemes such as Katilu and Morulem that have potential of producing surplus food that be sold by farmers to earn income as well as process crop stock to make fodder for livestock.

He stated that investments through Public-Private Partnership would unlock untapped economic potential on the value chains such as honey production, Sorghum and fish that have ready market and added that the Pastoral Economy department will strive to add value addition of livestock products such as skin and hides by promoting the tannery and other related emerging livestock facilities.

NARIGP is a National Government project funded by World Bank with an objective of increasing agricultural productivity and profitability of targeted rural communities in selected 21 Counties.

In Turkana, NARIGP supports the following value chains: sorghum/cowpeas intercrop, goat/sheep meat production,Poultry and Apiculture.

The County Executive was speaking today when he presided closure of a 14-day training of County Government staff and community based facilitators on Pastoralist/Farmers Field Schools at Nakwamoru, Kaputir ward in Turkana South Sub-County.

CEC Aemun said that the Pastoral Field Schools (PFS) would empower pastoralist communities with skills and knowledge to make informed and critical decisions through an experimental and learning techniques.

County Veterinary Services Director Benson Longor said training of pastoralist on PFS technology innovation will improve livestock extension services and supplement indigenous knowledge on livestock rearing and production.

NARIGP Coordinator Joseph Ekalale said that the PFS/FFS methodology teaching software which was done in consultation with World Bank aimed at offering alternative livelihood skills especially in vast counties such as Turkana to help address initial gaps of access to unavailable services in selected counties.

He reiterated NARIGP’s focus to support producer groups through funding proposals ,and offering training on available NARIGP value additions so that they can acquire knowledge and skills on how to write proposals .

NARIGP target on FFS/PFS is to train 100 Community-based facilitators per County in the selected 21 Counties.

Out of the targeted 100 Community based facilitators nominated from Common interest Groups(CIGS)across the County, 20 are County Government staff drawn from wards where NARIGP projects are being implemented.

Kakuma, 4th September.

County Veterinary officers are currently training 24 members of Naremieto Community Based Natural Resource Committee Self Help Group at Songot ward in Turkana West Sub-County on basic animal health care to equip them with knowledge  livestock diseases reporting and treatment.

County Executive for Agriculture,Pastoral Economy and Fisheries Philip Aemun today officially  opened the week long training on field livestock diseases in pastoral areas based on ruminant that has been organised by County Veterinary Services directorate and GIZ.

In his remarks, CEC Aemun said that training of more community members on Participatory Disease Surveillance(PDS) and establishment of a drug stores on critical migratory routes would strengthen response towards livestock diseases outbreak to avert deaths.

While urging herders to invest on livestock trade that he said was a viable economic venture, CEC Aemun added that the Pastoral Economy department would integrate indigenous and modern knowledge  increase productivity and profitability products to benefit herders.

He acknowledged that the E-surveillance system had contributed enormously in  containment  of the disease outbreak among the camels that had been reported a few weeks ago where more than 15,000 camels were vaccinated against haemmoragic septicaemia and trypanosomiasis.

CEC Aemun urged them  to regularly contact the veterinary officers on livestock diseases and assured that the County Government Livestock Production department will train them on mass pasture production as well as market linkage to be able to sell their products.

County Veterinary Services Director Benson Longor stated that the directorate was planning to recruit and train more Community Disease Reporters(CDR’S) for effective diseases reporting and also establish a Cold Chain Store in Kakuma that would be used for storage of vaccines and drugs to be used in Turkana West Sub-County.

NAREMIETO community Based Natural Resource Committee Self Help group is a community based initiative that was supported by GIZ to start a pasture farm have developed interest on livestock treatment and have already established a community livestock drug store at Nariemito village.

Lodwar, 31st August

Communities affected by the recent desert locust invasion are set to benefit from a joint livelihoods recovery efforts by the County Government and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO).

The programme is intended to strengthen communities after negative economic impacts of the desert locust invasion on crops and livestock related activities and will benefit 9650 households

More than 1800 farmers will receive certified crops seeds,support on establishment of kitchen gardens as well as agri-nutrition training as part of the recovery effort.

Speaking today when he opened the livelihoods recovery workshop in Lodwar, County Executive for Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries Philip Aemun said that the joint coordination was meant to address the double shocks of desert Locusts and Corona virus that he decried to have negative socio-economic impacts to the livelihoods of residents of Turkana.

While noting the progress towards combating the pest in the region, the County Executive noted that limited ground surveillance and capacity had earlier own enabled desert locusts subdue County Government and development partners efforts against its invasion when it was first reported in Turkana.

He acknowledged FAO,among other many partners support towards combating the pest infestation and called for more resource mobilization and coordinated approach to mitigate future disasters . He warned that Turkana County was not yet off the hook of desert locust.

The County Executive stated that the recovery program would include training of farmers and herders on disaster management through Public Barazas and radio programmes to reach a larger number of people.

FAO Head of Lodwar Field Office Dan Irura said that the pastoralist community will benefit from distribution of 5000 bags of range cubes as well as mass deworming of livestock as well as ectoparasite control.

Additionally, 5000 one-month old improved indigenous chicken will be distributed as part of rebuilding capacity to the affected households.

Also present were Fisheries,Livestock production and Veterinary Services Chief Officer Abdullahi Yussuf, Fisheries Director Robert Kibunja, among other senior County Government Officers.

Lokichar, 28th August (Governor’s Press Service)–A joint disaster coordination team has carried out assessment of areas along the Turkwel riverine at risk of flooding in anticipation of spill-over of the Turkwel dam.

Led by the County Department of Disaster Management, the team visited settlements, irrigation schemes and addressed communities living along the revirine as part of a mapping exercise to collect information which will advise a contingency plan.

County Director of Disaster Management Vincent Palor yesterday led one team consisting of experts in different fields and representatives of partner organisations, on a visit to Kaputir and Katilu wards for data collection and to address residents’ fears.

“This assessment is for the county and partners involved to be better prepared by understanding areas that sit at a high risk of flooding in the event of spill-over. We don’t want to be caught unawares,” Director Palor said when he addressed residents of Juluok in Kaputir Ward which was one of the stops made.

He dispelled fears that the warning of possible flooding was a ploy for residents along the revirine to abandon their lands but stated that community preparedness was critical to reduce losses in case of a disaster.

On Thursday, KVDA Regional Manager Samuel Kigen assured the team of the dam’s structural integrity and has a durability assurance of 100 years. Construction of the dam was completed in 1991. He said KenGen was working at full capacity to reduce water levels through two turbines, each   discharging 17m3 of water per second.

The dam’s structure is fitted with technology to monitor is integrity including deflections of the arc, hydrological and geological activities.

Water level at the dam has risen to a record high of 1,145.39 metres, with spillover designed to occur when the water hits the 1,150 metre mark. Reports have indicated that there has been no increase in the last 24 hours, and the trend could continue if heavy rains stop in the dam’s catchment of Mt. Elgon and Cherangany hills.

Assistant Director for Humanitarian Affairs John Tukei led a second team which visited Turkwel and Lobei/Kotaruk wards in Loima Sub-County for the vulnerability assessment.

Another team is in Turkana Central Sub County and is led by Deputy Director for Disaster Management Moses Nawoton. They have so far carried out assessment in Lodwar Township, Kerio Delta Ward and Kang’atotha wards and will conclude in Kanamkemer ward.

The assessment will identify spillage route and expected flooding areas, safe zones in the event of floods, population at risk, livelihoods and government installation such as health centres and dispensaries that could be affected.

Information collected will form part of a contingency plan being drafted as the County Government plans to be better prepared.

Turkana South team included Turkana South Sub-County Administrator Alex Losikiria, Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Benson Longor, Assistant Director for Humanitarian Affairs Namuya Benjamin, Ward Administrators Lomodei Lomodei (Lobokat), Ignatius Erupe (Kaputir) and Emmanuel Ewaar (Katilu) as well as experts from lands, irrigation, water and public health.

In Loima, Turkwel ward Administrator Imadis Ekuleu was part of the team.

Partner organisations involved include National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), World Food Programme (WFP) among others.