Lodwar, November 26, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The Turkana County Government has concluded a two-day consultative workshop to finalize a draft slum prevention strategy. The strategy is being developed under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program (KISIP II), Component 2.

The workshop brought together members of the Turkana County Assembly’s Land Committee, staff from the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Areas Management, and other key stakeholders.

Inspired by the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Policy, the draft strategy aims to integrate existing informal settlements into formal systems, ensuring access to essential services like roads, water, electricity, and sewage systems.

Peter Lomorukai, Chief Officer for Urban Areas Management, expressed satisfaction with the progress made and emphasized the strategy’s alignment with the county’s vision of mitigating slum proliferation. “The strategy will serve as a critical resource mobilization tool and a guide for the dual efforts of upgrading existing informal settlements and preventing new slums from emerging,” Lomorukai said.

Implementation of the strategy will follow the guidelines of KISIP II, which is already underway.

The draft identifies towns such as Lowarengak, Kalokol, Lobokat, Naduat, Lopur in Katilu, and Lorugum as high-risk areas for potential slum development. It outlines tailored mitigation measures for each location.

GEODEV Consultancy, experienced in similar work in Trans Nzoia and other North Rift counties, is leading the strategy’s development.

Simon Loyara, Chief Administrator for Urban Areas Management; Davies Munialo, County Director for Physical Planning; and Thomas Kipsiele, Deputy County Commissioner of Turkana Central, were among those present at the workshop.