The County Government of Turkana is committed to fulfilling the requirements set for World Bank funding under the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP), Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has said.

Speaking during a meeting with the KUSP implementation support mission, led by Beatriz Eraso of the World Bank and comprising representatives from the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, UN-Habitat, and UNHCR, the Governor stated that the County Government had addressed all prerequisites for World Bank funding, including the recruitment of critical personnel.

He emphasized that the administration is working closely with partners to implement impactful programs across the county.

“The World Bank is a strong partner in Turkana, and we appreciate the continued collaboration,” said the Governor.

Governor Lomorukai called for special consideration regarding land requirements for project implementation, noting that most of the land in Turkana is community-owned. He revealed that the County Government is conducting a land registration exercise to address this challenge.

The Governor also assured that his administration would play its part by committing to investing in infrastructure development for Lodwar and Kakuma municipalities annually.

Ms. Eraso explained that the implementation support mission aimed to review the progress of KUSP implementation and engage with stakeholders on coordination structures. She highlighted that the newly established Kakuma Municipality would play a broader role in bringing together different partners to avoid duplication of programs.

Director for Urban Development in the State Department of Housing Lillian Kyeni, stated that the National Government’s role is to support capacity building and institutional strengthening. She advised the county to better resource municipalities for sustainability, including exploring diverse revenue streams.

Ms. Kyeni also revealed that Kakuma and Dadaab municipalities stand to receive USD 50 million in funding as special municipalities hosting refugees, and urged the county to plan projects in advance to prevent delays in rollout.

County Executive for Lands Faith Aletea said her ministry is working to support the implementation of KUSP, which has the potential to transform the two municipalities.

Chief Officer for Municipalities Peter Lomorukai assured the team that project planning had been finalized and that the municipalities are awaiting funding.

Lodwar Municipality Manager Benjamin Tukei appreciated the Governor for his readiness to allocate resources to the municipalities, underscoring the administration’s commitment to urban development.

Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus, Deputy County Secretary Joseph Nyang’a, KUSP Coordinator stephen Njoroge, and a host of Lodwar Municipality Board members led by Deputy Chairperson Esther Nangor attended the meeting.

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.

Lodwar, November 26, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The Turkana County Government has concluded a two-day consultative workshop to finalize a draft slum prevention strategy. The strategy is being developed under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program (KISIP II), Component 2.

The workshop brought together members of the Turkana County Assembly’s Land Committee, staff from the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Areas Management, and other key stakeholders.

Inspired by the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Policy, the draft strategy aims to integrate existing informal settlements into formal systems, ensuring access to essential services like roads, water, electricity, and sewage systems.

Peter Lomorukai, Chief Officer for Urban Areas Management, expressed satisfaction with the progress made and emphasized the strategy’s alignment with the county’s vision of mitigating slum proliferation. “The strategy will serve as a critical resource mobilization tool and a guide for the dual efforts of upgrading existing informal settlements and preventing new slums from emerging,” Lomorukai said.

Implementation of the strategy will follow the guidelines of KISIP II, which is already underway.

The draft identifies towns such as Lowarengak, Kalokol, Lobokat, Naduat, Lopur in Katilu, and Lorugum as high-risk areas for potential slum development. It outlines tailored mitigation measures for each location.

GEODEV Consultancy, experienced in similar work in Trans Nzoia and other North Rift counties, is leading the strategy’s development.

Simon Loyara, Chief Administrator for Urban Areas Management; Davies Munialo, County Director for Physical Planning; and Thomas Kipsiele, Deputy County Commissioner of Turkana Central, were among those present at the workshop.

Lodwar Municipality Manager, Eng. Benjamin, Tukei, has expressed concern over the town’s deteriorating cleanliness and called for collective action to address the growing waste management issue.

During a recent tour of the town center, Mr. Tukei observed indiscriminate waste disposal and highlighted the negative impact on public health and the town’s image. He urged residents and traders to adopt sustainable waste disposal practices, including recycling and reducing reliance on single-use plastics.

Public Health Officer (PHO) Mr. Kwaba proposed monthly clean-up days involving traders, residents, and municipal staff to educate the public and promote proper waste management. He also emphasized individual responsibility for waste disposal.

Traders have expressed their willingness to contribute to the initiative, suggesting pooling resources for waste collection and spearheading clean-up efforts.

By working together, the community and the municipality can create a cleaner and healthier Lodwar.

Lodwar Municipality, a key beneficiary of the Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP), is currently undergoing a thorough assessment by the World Bank to evaluate its adherence to minimum conditions and performance standards.

The assessment aims to enhance urban services and governance as part of KUSP’s second phase. The World Bank team is gathering data on the municipality’s performance in critical areas such as infrastructure, service delivery, and staff conditions.

Through a series of forums, the team is engaging with the local community, government officials, and service providers to assess the current state of municipal services and identify areas for improvement.

The World Bank team recognized the county government’s significant strides in upgrading urban infrastructure and supporting Lodwar’s growth as the county headquarters. However, they emphasized the importance of involving staff and the community in decision-making processes to ensure better outcomes in urban planning and service delivery.

James Kitonga, a representative from Acal Consulting, shared insights from the assessment. “The World Bank will compile a report outlining key findings and recommendations for the county government, focusing on areas like infrastructure development and improving transparency in local governance,” Kitonga stated.

Key recommendations include investing in community-driven projects and prioritizing transparent governance, clear communication, and efficient resource utilization.

Municipality Manager Benjamin Tukei expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s support and highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration to shape Lodwar’s future.