Lodwar – December 18, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Traders drawn from across the country have reported a surge in business during the just concluded Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival – Tobong’u Lore, with many urging the County Government to harmonize revenue collection and annual dates.
As the curtains came down on the annual cultural festival showcased at the Ekaales Centre, business owners said the event provided a rare opportunity to tap into the growing cultural and tourism market in Turkana.
Daniel Mwaniki, a trader from Nanyuki and owner of a Merry-go-round entertainment unit, said the festival attracted high customer traffic but noted that uncertainty around dates affected early preparations.
“Business was good, especially when crowds increased towards the peak days,” Mwaniki said. “However, I urge the county government to clearly fix and communicate the festival dates in advance so traders can plan properly and operate from the beginning without losses,”
Hotel owners also reported improved performance compared to previous editions. Reuben Mariao, a hotel owner in Lodwar, said Tobong’u Lore significantly boosted the hospitality sector this year.
“This year was much better than last year. We recorded a notable increase in bookings and overall profits,” Mariao said. “I appeal to the county to make the opening day official and allow trading from day one, so businesses can benefit fully from the entire duration of the festival,”
Small-scale traders equally felt the impact, particularly those dealing in food and refreshments. Samuel Lopeyok, who operates a fruit and juice parlour at the venue, confirmed significant sales throughout the event.
“The demand for fresh fruit juice was very high, and I made good profits,” Lopeyok noted. “I urge, the county government to consider planting more trees at Ekales Cultural Centre to provide shade and a comfortable environment for customers and traders,”
Tobong’u Lore is one of Turkana County’s flagship cultural events, attracting local and international visitors while promoting cultural heritage and economic activity.
Traders now hope that lessons from this year’s festival will inform better planning, harmonized revenue systems, and improved infrastructure ahead of future editions.
