Lokichar, September 25th, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The technical team from County Government of Turkana and Turkana University College convened in Lokichar, Turkana South, to formulate the first of the County’s Development Coordination Policy.

The policy draft aims to provide a framework for achieving sustainable utilisation and management of resources to spur harmonious, equitable and sustainable socio-economic development across Turkana.

The three-day meeting supported by UNICEF, envisions a policy draft to have a policy that coordinates efforts by the government, development partners and non-state actors in Turkana.

Over the years, Turkana County has been the focus of attention from a wide range of development partners, and their work has been significantly recognised across the county.

However, the team was cognisant of the fact the partners are currently operating in silos with no central coordination unit and hence need for a coordination policy to put in place structures for uniform and coordination of the same.

In this regard, Turkana County Government proposes to put in place a Partner Coordination Policy for effective partnership coordination to address current coordination gaps.

Once the policy is operationalised, the County Government in collaboration with development partners and the private sector, will ensure that the envisioned goals is met and strategies proposed are fully implemented, including the Monitoring and Evaluation component, to achieve optimal impact.

In his remarks during the meeting, the Deputy County Secretary, Dr Albert Gamoe said the policy will align partners, donors, private sector and other stakeholders to County Integrated Development priorities.

“Once complete, the policy will ensure optimal use of ever limited financial resources to target priority areas in avoiding wastage and duplication of efforts,” stated DCS Gamoe.

While noting the coordination gaps and challenges such as; lack of alignment with county priorities, resource allocation and duplication, and lack of structured private sector engagement, among other issues, that have oftentimes led to fragmented and uncoordinated interventions, Francis Lokwar, Director of Economic Planning, says the establishment of the coordination policy will overcome the challenges that have befallen the county, to address current coordination and emerging gaps.

He said, earlier in September, County Government of Turkana including County Assembly, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkana University to technically support in developing the Development Coordination Policy. Since then, Lokwar explained, comprehensive financial analysis has been done and the draft report is available to inform the policy. And formulation of the policy is on course.

Dr Lucy Akinyi of Turkana University College presented a structure of the policy formulation process to the participants. She expressed optimism that the draft policy would be ready within the agreed timelines.

Present were Derrick Epae (Chief Officer, Office of the Deputy Governor), Raphael Logum (Director, Resource mobilisation), Nicholas Mayo (Director Budget), Isaac Eregae (Director, ICT & E-government), Ekal Lokuruka (Director, Litigation) John Ekaru (Ag. Director, Monitoring and Evaluation) and Deputy Directors; Michael Aupe (Resource Mobilisation), Michael Ekwang’a (Monitoring and Evaluation) and Wilson Ikamar (Deputy Director-Partnerships, Turkana County Assembly).

Dr Collins Obura, Dr Chepkwony Julius and Dr Benjamin Koross from TUC were also present in the policy formulation meeting.