Lodwar, 14th February 2025

Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai today launched a series of key projects in Lodwar Municipality and joined residents in a clean-up exercise aimed at promoting a cleaner and healthier town.

During the event, the Governor emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in keeping Lodwar clean, healthy, and sustainable. “Today’s Clean-Up Day is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect our environment. The theme, ‘Mazingira Yangu, Jukumu Langu,’ underscores our individual and collective duty to safeguard our surroundings,” he said.

The Governor highlighted that Lodwar generates an estimated 20 tons of waste daily, but challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited recycling, and illegal dumping persist. To address these issues, his administration has expanded waste collection services by increasing collection points, bins, and disposal trucks. Additionally, waste management has been delegated to Lodwar Municipality for three months, with an allocation of Ksh25 million to employ more casual workers for cleaning key areas such as Kanamkemer, Town Centre, Nakwamekwi, Kawalase, and Napetet/Johannesburg.

He said the county has also promoted waste sorting and recycling, upgraded dumpsites to reduce landfill waste, and engaged private investors and community groups to support innovative waste management practices. Furthermore, environmental education campaigns have been strengthened to encourage responsible waste disposal habits among residents.

The Governor urged residents to adopt proper waste disposal practices, business owners to maintain clean premises, and community groups to actively participate in waste collection and recycling initiatives. He also called on the government and partners to invest in long-term solutions, including waste-to-energy projects.

The Governor unveiled several projects, including: Lodwar Fire Station, 15-acre Lodwar Cemetery, Nakwamekwi Market which serves over 100 vendors, and California Market Phase Two. Additionally, the Governor commissioned a recreation facility in Kanamkemer, boda boda sheds.

During the event, the Governor handed appointment letters to the newly sworn-in Lodwar Municipality Board Members. Municipality Manager Benjamin Tukei announced that the board had elected Job Nyorsok as its chairperson. Tukei expressed confidence that, with the transfer of key staff, the municipality would improve service delivery and project implementation.

On the clean-up exercise, Tukei thanked the Governor for issuing a decree designating the last Friday of every month as a clean-up day. He called on businesses and residents to manage waste responsibly and assured residents of the municipality’s commitment to establishing Lodwar as a beacon of development in the county. He also asked heavy trucks to pack at designated areas to avoid the destruction of cabros in parking spaces within the town centre.

County Executive for Trade Roseline Aite urged traders to utilise the newly launched markets. She announced that the Biashara Fund loans would soon be disbursed following the signing of the Biashara Fund Act.

Lodwar, 12th February 2025
Members of the Lodwar Municipality Board were sworn in today during a ceremony presided over by Acting County Secretary Joseph Nyang’a.

The board members include Job Nyorsok, Esther Arukudi, Naomi Lochampa, George Emoru, Teresa Nater, and William Ejore. Peninah Lotaruk, a member of the Kakuma Municipality Board, was also sworn in.

DCS Nyang’a highlighted that the county had met World Bank requirements for grants, including staff transfers to the municipality, and urged collaboration among stakeholders, including consultation with MCAs.

He also called for Kakuma Municipality to coordinate with local leaders, emphasizing the inclusion of Lopur, Kalobeyei, and Kakuma wards.

County Attorney Ruth Emanikor advised the board to ensure their decisions align with the law, while Patrick Esekon, Chairman of the County Assembly Committee on Lands, requested funds to implement transferred functions and urged board members to address budgetary shortages with MCAs.

County Assembly Minority Leader Vincent Ekipor expressed confidence in the board’s ability to deliver on its mandate. County Executive for Lands Faith Aletea appreciated the Assembly’s timely approval of the board to meet World Bank funding requirements.

Municipality Manager Benjamin Tukei stated that the board will now oversee management issues, including newly transferred functions.

The event was attended by a host of MCAs and other county officials, including Chief Officer Peter Lomorukai (Municipalities and Urban Areas Management), Lodwar Municipality Deputy Manager Simon Nangiro, and Kakuma Municipality Board Chairman John Ewesit.