Lodwar, 4th October 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The Turkana County Government has strengthened its cooperative sector with the acquisition of a 9-seater Toyota Land Cruiser for the Directorate of Cooperatives Development. This vehicle is expected to enhance the mobility of officers, enabling them to better serve cooperative groups, especially in remote areas.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Enterprise Development, Cooperatives, Gender, and Youth Affairs, David Erukudi, received the vehicle from a representative of Toyota CFAO Lodwar Branch before handing it over to the Directorate. “This vehicle is a significant boost to our efforts in supporting cooperatives. It will enable us to reach even the most remote groups, providing them with financial support and much-needed capacity-building programs,” Erukudi stated.

The vehicle will also facilitate access and sensitization on the Cooperative Enterprise Development Fund. Pauline Tangarae, Chief Officer for Trade, Enterprise Development, and Cooperatives, emphasized its role in improving service delivery. “The time it takes to respond to cooperatives’ challenges will be significantly reduced. We also see this as an opportunity to expand the cooperative movement and encourage more community members to participate,” she explained.

Turkana has embraced the cooperative movement after research highlighted its key role in promoting financial inclusion among underserved communities. The county has facilitated the formation of societies across various economic sectors, including small-scale vendors, roadside sellers, farmers, and traders who would otherwise lack access to financial services.

Key officials present at the handover ceremony included: Joseph Epuu (Chief Officer for Gender and Youth Affairs, James Lokwale (Director of Trade and Enterprise Development), Shemmy Ebulon (Director for Cooperatives), Mollen Onderi (Deputy Director for Gender) and Charles Lochodo (Head of Transport).