To enhance evidence-based decision-making on the utilization of Lake Turkana as an economic resource, the County Government of Turkana and KEMFRI have rolled out a joint research activity.

The collaboration includes training fishermen residing along the shores of Lake Turkana on the blue economy value chain and the uptake of market opportunities associated with the fish trade.

Dr. John Erus, the Turkana’s Deputy Governor said the research institute was part of a deliberate measure by the Turkana, Samburu, and Marsabit County Governments to pave the way for funding from the Dutch Government on the development of Lake Turkana as an Economic resource.

Speaking at Kalokol where he graced the closure of fishermen’s training, DG Erus divulged that the County was in the process of positioning Kalokol and Kataboi Vocational training institutions to offer blue economy-related courses such as boat making and nets manufacturing among others.

He further said the research project was a pilot for larger endeavors in the future aimed at transforming Lake Turkana as a resource for wealth creation, revenue generation, and livelihood support for the local population and beyond.

The Managing Director for KEMFRI, and technical lead of the research exercise, Dr. Obiero, confirmed that the training guided the participants through sustainable utilization of Lake Turkana as well as the associated regulatory frameworks.

According to MD Obiero, Lake Turkana is one of the least studied water bodies in Kenya, and that the research would create baseline data for the betterment of the resource.

William Loseny, (Ward Administrator Kalokol) accompanied the Deputy Governor to the training.