Lankas
March 4, 2025
The Turkana County committed to meeting world bank Requirements for Urban Development Funding
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.
