Turkana County – 26th February, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Turkana county residents have earmarked stalled projects for completion during the public participation exercise on the County Fiscal Strategy Paper 2025/2026.

They shared their views in sessions, held in each sub-county, as prescribed by the 2010 Constitution of Kenya. The County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP) outlines a county government’s strategic priorities and a fundamental part of budget preparation as it guides resource allocation.

While leading the exercise in Kapedo, Suguta Sub-county, the Chief Officer for Economic Planning, Samuel Ekale, stated that the county government will allocate resources based on the identified needs of residents.

“The deliberations and insights from the public hearing on the County Fiscal Strategy Paper are expected to inform and shape the budgetary process,” he said.

The headteacher of Lomelo Primary School in Suguta, Joseph Ekorkou, called for more resources to improve existing Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres rather than constructing new ones.

“Priority should be given to providing learning materials, desks, and strengthening the school feeding program to enhance our ECDEs,” he said.

In Lokori, Turkana East Sub-county, the Director of Administration in the Economic Planning Department, Evaristus Lokidap, informed the 60 participants to be consisted in attending similar forums to have their say in the final annual budget.

As a resident of Lokori, James Echuchuka said, “I am making an urgent appeal to government to be finishing projects within a stipulated time, within a financial year, to avoid denying people of the benefit of the projects intended.”

In Lokitaung, Turkana North, participants observed the lack of bursary allocation which Finance Officer Kennedy Birgen responded that due to legal circumstances that led to the countrywide suspension that informed the decision.

The Kaeris Ward participant, Lowoto Barnaba, highlighted the revamping of Nakipi rock catchment dam.” Even though this was not captured in the original paper, water remains our priority need and we hope that its inclusion will enable irrigation agriculture, commercial ventures and livestock production.”

In Lokichar in Turkana South, Francis Lokwar, the Director for Economic Planning, reassured the participants that the county government’s commitment to honouring their views as it would ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

In Turkana West Sub-county’s session held in Kakuma, Director of Budget Nicholas Mayo informed the participants that with some of the partner support withdrawn, the county had allocated resources to cushion some of the affected health programs such as HIV, immunisation and nutrition.

An IT student from Garite village in Lokipoto, Abei Dennis, noted that the number of stalled projects had reduced. “In this year’s participation, we have proposed the rehabilitation of three water pans which would benefit the pastoralists who are the majority in the area,” he said.

Residents of Aroo Sub county highlighted the need for proper planning to ensure equitable distribution of resources across the county.

Lochomin Jeremiah, a 31-year-old representative of persons living with disabilities (PWDs) from Katilu, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the completion of the stalled projects by increasing the allocation of funds. “The current allocated budget of 50 million for the Ward Development Fund is insufficient for all these projects,” he said.

Deputy Director of Public Participation, Simon Lokutan, led the Public Participation on CFSP session in Turkana Central, drawing representatives from 22 village units across all the five wards.

“This time we have representation from all village units to make sure that what will be in the budget will be the priorities of the people,” he said.The residents prioritized completing stalled projects, urging the county to focus on water and health to improve livelihoods in the coming budget.

A PWD representative from Namoruputh Village unit, Etiir Ewalan, stated that ECDCs required more funding to improve the existing facilities. “Investing in our children’s education is investing in our future.”

In Loima/Lokiriama, Maria Alim highlighted prioritisation should focus on the stalled health projects and equipping completed ones with the medical supplies and health workers. She said, “We need accessible and quality healthcare for everyone”.In Lokichoggio Sub-County, a resident of Nabanguken village in Lokichoggio Lucy Loyelei, stated that the county being proactive in allocation funds to support the health programs after some of the donor funding was suspended was commendable.

In Kibish, the youth representative Kelvin Ekai said, “If we put water, an ECDE centre and a market at Natodomeri, the area will transform to a major urban centre centrally placed to serve the entire sub county.”

In attendance were the county administration officers led by their respective sub-county administrators.