Letea, 16 July 2026.( Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), has launched a sensitization exercise for local administrators ahead of the election of board members for the proposed Letea Community Conservancy.
The engagement brought together chiefs, assistant chiefs, ward administrators and other local leaders to familiarize them with the conservancy’s governance structure and the process of electing a representative board. The sensitization will later be extended to community members before the elections.
Speaking during the meeting, Director of Natural Resources Pauline Ng’oli emphasized the need for transparency and accurate public information throughout the process.
“We have a responsibility to ensure there is no misinformation regarding the project, its expected outcomes, and the benefits to the community. Transparency and clarity are critical, while personal interests should not be allowed to derail implementation,” she said.
NRT Team Lead Moses Kinapu said the organization’s role is to facilitate community sensitization and guide the establishment of a legally constituted conservancy governed by the community.
He explained that once established, the conservancy would be managed by a community-elected board and a professionally recruited conservancy manager, while NRT and the County Government would provide technical oversight, capacity building, financial support, and governance advisory services.
According to Kinapu, the conservancy aims to promote sustainable natural resource management, wildlife conservation, peacebuilding among neighbouring communities, rangeland management, wildlife monitoring and research, enterprise development, and improved community livelihoods.
Turkana west Sub-County Administrator Christine Nalemsekon urged stakeholders to ensure the conservancy complies with county laws and development plans.
She said implementation should align with the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and the County Spatial Plan, while ensuring joint planning, transparency and inclusive representation during the election of the board. To
MCA Letea ward Francis Ng’imusia said community engagement would continue to ensure residents fully understand the conservancy model and the board election process.
He noted that 20 board members will be elected to represent the community and called for stronger coordination among government departments, NRT and other partners to guarantee the success and sustainability of the proposed conservancy.
The sensitization marks another step towards establishing the proposed Letea Community Conservancy, with stakeholders expressing optimism that a transparent and inclusive process will strengthen community ownership of natural resource management.
