Lodwar, January 28th, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) have pledged to incorporate risk management in planning for activities affecting host communities and refugees in Turkana County.
This commitment was made during a joint meeting under the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Program (KISEDP) to deliberate on strategies for risk-free integration approaches.
Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus emphasized the need for open discussion on host-refugee integration, warning that potential risks could reverse gains made so far.
DG Erus used the platform to advocated for harmonizing legal frameworks to avoid conflicting interpretations, citing inconsistencies in the Ushirika Plan, CIDP, KISEDP document, County Government Act, and the Constitution of Kenya.
UNHCR’s Head of Kakuma sub-office (HSO), Sateesh Nanduri, supported the risk management approach, suggesting its inclusion in upcoming donor funds.
The HSO said that both UNHCR and the County Government could leverage on the already existing Shirika plan and the KISEDP program to advance the adoption of risk free approaches especially in the face of shrinking donor support.
Deliberations during the meeting highlighted that host-refugee planning and integration efforts potentially face a wide range of issues relating to politics, economics, and socio-cultural forces that go beyond Kenya and countries from where people move into Kakuma as refugees.
Dr. Albert Gamoe (DCS, Cabinet Affairs), Roseline Aite (CEC Finance and Economic Planning), Wangiros James (CEC Trade and Tourism), Ruth Emanikor (County Attorney) were present.
Chief Officers Winstone Ebei (Public Works), Joseph Epuu (Gender and Youth Affairs), Paul Lodunga (ECDE and Social Protection), Janerose Tioko (Partnerships and donor coordination), Simon Ekale (Economic Planning), Cathra Abdi (Public Service), Joseph Imoni Ekalale ( Climate change) and Peter Eregae (Fisheries and Aquaculture) directors, County Assembly representative and KISEDP directors were also present.
