Lodwar, April 15, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Turkana County will soon have a local human rights office after the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) announced plans to open a branch in Lodwar to bring services closer to residents.
The plan was disclosed on Tuesday when a delegation led by KNCHR Chairperson Claris Oganga paid a courtesy call on the county and held talks with Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus on partnership and the establishment of a county office.
Currently, Turkana depends on the Kitale branch in Trans Nzoia County which is more than three hundreds kilometres away.
Welcoming the move, Dr. Erus said Turkana’s location along the tri-nation border, upcoming oil exploration, the presence of a refugee camp and settlement, and high poverty levels have increased the risk of human rights violations, making a local office necessary.
He credited much of Turkana’s transformation to the human rights infrastructure established by the Catholic Church.
“Individuals, including Governor Lomorukai and myself, also played a key role in ensuring access to justice and reducing threats to human rights. However, the gains realized can best be safeguarded by having a rights institution in Turkana. For that reason, the county is open to the commission’s request,” he said.
Dr. Erus added that the county had already built infrastructure for cross-border peace, established the Office of the County Attorney, and set up a dedicated Department of Social Protection. The units work together to limit protection risks through structured interventions, he said.
Oganga said the commission would work closely with the county, particularly on rights relating to land acquisition and other emerging issues.
“The commission is honoured to have met the county leadership to discuss how best to promote and protect human rights,” she said.
She noted that the rapid development and transformation underway in Turkana must go hand in hand with observance of human rights.
“We have identified community land, disarmament, refugee rights and the need to review existing legislation to align it with the Constitution as key areas for collaboration,” Oganga said.
Also present were Deputy County Secretary Joseph Nyanga, CECM Benson Lokwang, County Attorney Ruth Emanikor and Chief Officer for Partnerships Jane Rose Tioko.
Others in attendance were Deputy Director for Protocol Thomson Ekai, Assistant Director for Administration Peterson Erus and Principal Administrator Jerry Ekimwormwor.
