Todonyang- March 13, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Residents of Todonyang and its environs, whose main livelihood has been devastated and interrupted after the recent attack in Todonyang, Turkana North, are set to benefit from the county’s strategic plan following the procurement of 17 motorized wooden boats with outboard engines.
This is a move that is geared towards making them bounce back to their normal way of life, after the fishermen were attacked while fishing along the shores of Lake Turkana.
This push comes days after Governor Lomorukai mobilized resources after he established a multi-sectoral team in Lodwar, to promptly respond to the demanding situation, despite logistical hurdles. Through the same effort, the victims and survivors of the incident have already benefited from the 1,500 bags of maize, 150 bags of livestock supplementary feeds and assorted non-food items.
Merimug Yomer, 35, a resident in Todonyang, who still remains traumatized after losing two fishermen in a boat with 65 fishing nets, while one survived during the fateful day, says, “I am still mourning for my children, but happy of the support we are getting from our county government. Of significance, are the engine-powered boats as compared to the previous one propelled by oars, which will enhance our daily catch to improve our food security at household level.”
On the other hand, William Lotabo Ekwar, 28, together with his son narrowly survived, but lost a boat and 45 nets, can still recall all the happenings of the day. Despite that, he says, “it is only the boats and fishing gears we would soon receive, will be the only way to restore our hope after the deadly memories of Lopeimukat and Lotiira incidences.”
Evans Lomodei, the Chief Officer for Fisheries and Aquaculture, has acknowledged the tireless effort the government has put in the response plan remarking, “the county government has scaled up fisheries support in Todonyang, In response to the tragic incident, my Department has swiftly mobilized two large patrol fibre-glass boats to enhance security and surveillance along the Lake. We have also delivered 300 fishing nets with 3000 floaters, and 1500 manila ropes, in order to maximize the lake’s potential average catch of 10,000 metric tonnes per year.”
Speaking when he was supervising the construction works of the wooden boats, in Lowareng’ak and Todonyang, Lomodei disclosed that his office has deployed two senior fisheries officers and coxswain in the fish-rich source, to carry out extension services to the community.
Additionally, the Fisheries Chief said, he has also deployed a vehicle to the Turkana North Sub-county Officer to be stationed in Lowareng’ak to ease movement of officers within and outside the work station. These efforts, Lomodei said, serve as a crucial step towards restoring fishing livelihoods and ensuring the resilience of the Todonyang fishing community.
CCO asserted that the county government remains committed to safeguarding and revitalizing the fisheries sector, reinforcing security, and empowering fisher-folk community to rebuild their lives.
After two weeks of completion of the construction of the boats, the County Governor would be expected to launch and lead in the distribution of the boats to the affected families.
