Lodwar, September 2, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The County Government of Turkana has moved a notch higher by fast tracking the formulation of Development Coordination Policy, following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkana University College and County Assembly.
Through the support of UNICEF, the three institutions, will share a common goal to foster collaboration in comprehensive financial analysis, development coordination policy formulation, public finance/economic development coordination, while providing internship opportunities for university students.
This is to enable an integrated development of refugees and host communities in Turkana county.
Chief Officer for Economic Planning, Samuel Ekale, said that “purpose of the MoU is to advance collaboration and partnership between the parties on specific activities set out herein pertaining to developing comprehensive financial analysis and developing a coordination policy. This MOU reflects the Parties’ sincere and genuine intentions to collaborate in ideas and objectives as they relate to the agreed research activities.”
He added that it was high time county has the necessary legal framework on development coordination to avoid duplication of efforts and silo development programming.
Speaking during the signing event, CCO disclosed, the county will conduct an in-depth comprehensive financial analysis across all it’s sectors in the coming next week, and use the data analysed to inform the Development Coordination Policy.
The policy proposes to establish a robust legal framework to facilitate effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of development initiatives at various administrative levels within Turkana County.
Further to this, Chief Ekale observed that the MoU has already provided Opportunities for five youth from Turkana University College and Kakuma refugee Camp, who have engaged in internship at the county offices.
He also informed that Department of Economic Planning will play a lead role in establishing Public Finance Management and Economic Sector Coordination Forum.
The County Assembly’s Deputy Clerk, John Komol appreciated for UNICEF’s continued support for unpacking of this year’s budget and Annual Development Plan, while also strengthening the capacity of honourable members and staff.
Komol acknowledged the effort UNICEF has done to onboard interns, saying it is a pointer to the right direction. He also said the County Assembly will play its role on policy and subsequent bills enactment as need be.
On his part, the Principal to Turkana University College, Prof George Chemining’wa said the institution will use its expertise to facilitate academic contributions to policy dialogues and disseminate research findings.
Similarly, Dr James Ochieng, who is the UNICEF’s Social Policy Team Lead, Lodwar Zonal Office, recognised that Turkana is among three counties that the organisation has heavily invested. And he applauded the strategic partnership with the County Government while agitating for harmonised efforts to avoid duplication of resources
Dr. Ochieng said the support to develop a Development Coordination Policy for Turkana County, is to help in integrating planning and resource mobilisation. He said, within six months in the County would have a proposed Policy in place.
Francis Imuton (Gender and Partnerships Advisor), Raphael Logum (Director Resource Mobilization), Ekal Lokuruka (Director Litigation), Pius Eiton (Director, Hansard, Research, ICT and Information Services), Millicent Longor (Legal services, Assembly), Evaristus Lokidap (Director, Administration), Deputy Directors and Economists spoke during the event.
