Lodwar, 2nd August 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The County Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Areas Management has concluded a ten-year Physical and Land Use Development Plan aimed at sustainably transforming Katilu, Lokiriama, and Kalobeyei to town status by 2033.

This move is set to transform the county’s economic and urban landscape. The ambitious plan proposes expanding the town planning areas from the current 5 km² for each proposed town to 10 km² for Kalobeyei, 7 km² for Lokiriama, and 37 km² for Katilu.

During a forum for sensitizing Turkana County Assembly committee members on the proposed plan, CECM for Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Areas Management, Peter Akono, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative, particularly as a new revenue source from land rates.

Akono insisted that the plan aligns with the County Spatial Plan 2023-2033, which accommodates future population growth, infrastructure improvements, and environmentally sustainable interventions.

“The plan promises to reshape the county’s future by creating a platform to harness the agricultural potential of Katilu, integrate host and refugee communities at Kalobeyei, and boost Kenya-Uganda cross-border trade at Lokiriama for the county’s economic growth,” Akono stated.

The plan will be forwarded to the County Assembly for approval to facilitate its implementation.

The development of the plan was overseen by SIMPLAN, a renowned company specializing in urban areas management, under the leadership of Professor Edwin Mulongo.

The three members of the county assembly from the earmarked areas reiterated their support for the plan. MCA for Katilu, Samal Etubon, called upon all other members to support the plan by approving it when submitted to the County Assembly.