Lodwar- August 2, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government, in partnership with UN-Habitat, has embarked on the development of an urban growth strategy aimed at ensuring inclusive and sustainable development in emerging urban areas in Turkana.
Spearheaded by the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Areas Management, the initiative brings together various county departments; to craft a shared vision that integrates legal, environmental, and social dimensions of urban planning.
Speaking during a multi-sectoral workshop in Lodwar, Chief Officer for Urban Areas Development, Stenza Lomorukai, emphasized the urgency of a coordinated approach to urbanization.
“Turkana is undergoing rapid urban transformation. We must act quickly to ensure urban growth is managed in a way that incorporates legal, environmental, and social aspects to create towns that truly serve the needs of our people,” said Lomorukai.
He noted that the strategy will also ensure that both refugees and host communities benefit from planned infrastructure and services.
UN-Habitat Engineer Erick Muchuku called for a phased approach in developing the vision, beginning with an assessment of existing infrastructure and identifying key gaps.
“Understanding the current state of urban infrastructure is essential. We must also adopt a consultative approach to gather views from diverse groups, including refugee communities, to ensure their needs are well captured,” he said.
Chief Officer for Lands and Physical Planning, Leah Losiru, underscored the importance of aligning the strategy with existing legal frameworks.
“We will anchor our interventions on the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and other legal documents to safeguard ongoing efforts while shaping future developments,” she stated.
The workshop included deliberations on cross-cutting concerns such as gender-responsive infrastructure, access for children and persons with disabilities, as well as key sectors like energy, waste management, water supply, education, security, and street lighting.
Present were Director of Roads Simon Nakucho, Assistant Director of Urban Areas David Edoket, Deputy Director for Physical Planning John Kilimo, Lodwar Municipality Deputy Manager Simon Nangiro, and Kowot Gabriel from Kakuma Municipality.
The UN-Habitat-supported program, funded by the European Union, aims to strengthen urban development planning in Turkana County in line with international standards and inclusive growth principles.
