Lodwar, November 5, 2025 (Governor’s Press Service)
Governor Dr. Jeremiah Lomorukai has urged development partners to invest in the livestock sector and its related value chains, describing it as Turkana’s greatest yet untapped economic potential.
Speaking during the County–Partners Coordination Forum held in Lodwar, the Governor noted that Turkana County hosts Kenya’s largest livestock population but lacks industries to transform this resource into a driver of economic growth and employment.
“I urge partners to take a keen interest in the livestock sector. Turkana leads in livestock numbers and can sustain commercially viable abattoirs and leather-processing industries. However, this goal remains unrealized due to limited partner investment,” Dr. Lomorukai said.
The Governor appreciated the long-standing contribution of development partners in sectors such as education, water, and health, but emphasized the need for increased investment in the livestock value chain to strengthen household resilience and livelihoods.
“Over 70 percent of Turkana’s population depends on livestock as their main source of livelihood. That is why we consider Turkana a livestock-rich region.
Greater investment in this sector can unlock new opportunities and promote economic transformation,” he added.
Dr. Lomorukai further noted that Turkana’s strategic location offers a unique advantage for local, national, and cross-border trade in livestock and livestock products, positioning it as a potential hub for the regional livestock economy.
County Assembly Speaker Charles Lokioto supported the Governor’s call and challenged partners to ensure transparency and visibility in the implementation of their projects.
“Sometimes we are concerned that some partners only exist on paper, with no visible impact on the ground. Forums like this allow us to take stock of who is actively implementing projects and where,” he said.
He also encouraged partners to expand their interventions to underserved areas, citing regions in Turkana North and Turkana East that remain marginalized.
Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus, who oversees partnership coordination, explained that the County–Partners Forum — supported by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) — is part of a deliberate effort to align development actors with the county’s priority value chains identified through recent studies.
He revealed that a recent partner mapping exercise had identified coordination gaps, and the forum would help harmonize efforts and enhance development impact.
Dr. Erus added that the forum also serves as a sitting of the County Steering Group, bringing together representatives from the national government, non-state actors, and county departments.
He noted that the county plans to use the platform as a foundation for an upcoming donors’ roundtable.Chief Officer for Partnerships Winston Ebei, county directors, partners, and representatives from UNRCO also addressed the forum on various partnership and development coordination issues.
