Lodwar, 15th August 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The Turkana, Dassenach and Nyangatom residing in the Kenya-Ethiopia borders at Todonyang, Kibish and South Omo areas will benefit from a gender and climate change program aimed at building resilience and promoting peaceful co-existence.
The program, “Addressing the intersection of climate, conflict and gender equality in the Turkana-Omo Borderlands” will be funded by the Austrian Development Agency and implemented by International Alert (IA), Turkana Pastoralists Development Organization (TUPADO) and Ethiopia Institute of Peace (EIP).
At a workshop to unveil the initiative, Director for Administration in the Office of the Governor Dymphine Kooli expressed hope that the project will de-escalate climate induced conflicts and empower the target communities to adopt more gender responsive approaches.
“The project area we are speaking about is still highly susceptible to climate change induced conflicts. It is our hope that the program will strengthen capacity of the communities to bridge the existing gaps and co-exist peacefully,” Director said.
Noting that similar initiatives focussing on climate change adaptation and gender responsive approaches to peace building had been initiated in the past, several speakers advocated for inclusion of the community in the process for success of the current program.
On his part, Director for Peace, Titus Lokorikeju said that the county had put in place a Peace Building and Conflict Management Act 2022. He urged the implementing partners to make reference to the document for guidance when implementing their activities.
The workshop was also addressed by Program Manager at International Alert Dorina Prech, Project officer Daisy Kosgey and representatives of Danish Refugee Council, Echami Aito and Saferworld.
National government representatives included Mr.Brian Ogwari ACC for Kataboi; Evans Kimoni, ACC for Kokuro; Kennedy Akuron representative of Special Envoy for Peace, Ateker region.
Other officials included,
Senior county government officials present were Assistant, Director of peace Ebongon Lomongin, Climate Change Directorate; Gender Directorate; Hellen Emojo, Gender Officer , Adan Achege , PBO for Greater North. Sub-county administrators for Kibish and Turkana North also attended.
