Loya, 18th July 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The business community in Loya, Lokiriama Sub-county, has secured a new fish banda facility in a strategic move to stimulate cross-border trade and foster lasting peace among the Turkana, Pokot, and Matheniko communities of Moroto, Uganda.
The initiative, implemented through a collaboration between the County Government of Turkana and the World Food Programme (WFP), seeks to transform local livelihoods while promoting peaceful coexistence in this historically conflict-prone border region.
For decades, cattle-related conflicts over pasture and water resources have plagued communities living along the Kenya-Uganda border. The introduction of the fish banda is part of ongoing efforts to provide sustainable economic alternatives and reduce reliance on pastoralism.
The newly constructed fish banda—Loya’s first outside the Lake Turkana basin—is expected to act as a catalyst for peace, anchoring trade relations that have been nurtured through numerous cross-border peace forums and the Lokiriama Peace Accord.
Fish bandas are small-scale fish processing and storage facilities designed to enhance hygiene, preserve fish quality, and attract investment in the fish value chain. By improving post-harvest handling, the facility is set to empower local communities to venture into commercial aquaculture.
The project was initiated following a request from Aroo Fish Banda Group, whose members saw the venture as a means to transition from traditional livelihoods to profitable aquaculture-based enterprises.
“We are grateful for this investment from WFP. It follows our meeting in March 2023 at Lokiriama, where our proposal was approved. With the prevailing peace in the region, we are ready to fully utilise this facility to transform our lives,” said Calystus Angurae, Chairperson of the group.
Ekai Lojore, Village Administrator for Loya/Lorengippi and a group member, noted that the project marks a significant shift from pastoralism to aquaculture. Another member, Lopeyok Lokamar, appealed to the Department of Fisheries to provide training, given that the group is entering a new sector.
Chief Officer for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Evans Lomodei, led the county inspection team and praised WFP for its support. “I thank WFP for establishing this crucial infrastructure in Loya. Once operational, this fish banda—alongside the Nakouetom Aquaculture Peace Dam—will benefit over 10,000 people across Loya, Lorengippi, Lokiriama, and Urum,” said Lomodei.
He reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to achieving food security through aquaculture. He also announced plans to establish the Turkana County Fisheries Development Agency to manage aquaculture infrastructure across the region, including the Nakouetom dam, Kalokol fish processing unit, and lakeside fish storage facilities.
To enhance group sustainability, the CCO advised the 45-member Aroo Fish Banda Group to register as a cooperative, positioning them to access business development funding, cooperative support services, and the proposed Fisheries Development Fund.
To strengthen extension services, the department also committed to deploying a dedicated Sub-county Fisheries Officer for Lokiriama.
The Chief Officer was accompanied during the field visit by Assistant Director, Administrative Services Mark Loupe, Senior Fisheries Officer John Bett, Sub-county Fisheries Officer, Turkana West Dominic Kiptoo and a team of interns.
