Lodwar- February 27, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Areas Management has concluded a two-day public validation exercise for the Turkana Slum Upgrade and Prevention Plan.

The plan, developed with GEODEV as the lead consultant, seeks to foster sustainable urban development while aligning interventions with the needs and aspirations of local residents.

Speaking at the forum, the Chief Officer for Urban Areas Management, Peter Lomorukai, appreciated
the public participation process, noting that the community and stakeholder engagement is not only a legal requirement but also key to fostering ownership of the initiative.

“Through this exercise, I have witnessed your valuable contributions in refining the project’s objectives and identifying solutions to potential challenges. Your input will help shape a more effective urban development strategy,” Lomorukai stated.

He further emphasized that the validation exercise was preceded by a consultative process to incorporate diverse perspectives.

National Land Commission (NLC) Coordinator, Mark Ewesit, highlighted the plan’s potential to transform Turkana’s urban landscape.

He noted that its implementation would facilitate the development of essential infrastructure, including road networks, water supply systems, street lighting, and the creation of well-planned urban settlements.

With the validation process complete, Turkana is now set to benefit from structured urban growth, improved service delivery, and enhanced living conditions for residents.

John Esinyen, a resident in Lodwar, said that Turkana was facing an imminent risk of unstructured growth due to rapid urbanization. He, however, expressed optimism that full implementation of the plan would mitigate against the challenge.