Lodwar, Sept 16, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

Deputy Governor John Erus has called on partners to channel investments into existing resources to unlock Turkana’s blue economy potential.

The DG said that strengthening Beach Management Units (BMUs) and upgrading vocational training centres would build skilled manpower and research capacity for the sector.

“Our priority is to transform Kalokol and Kataboi vocational training centres into blue economy institutions offering courses in cold chain management, water transport, aquaculture, and fish-based commerce. Partners can help us realize this goal by investing in the institutions,” he explained during a meeting with a World Food Programme (WFP) team in Lodwar.

He added that opportunities extend beyond Lake Turkana’s fishing zones to the Kerio and Turkwel deltas, citing findings from past wetlands surveys.

WFP’s Head of Programs, Walter Mutsotso, announced that the organisation was relocating a cold chain facility from Kalokol after backflow in the lake threatened to damage it.

“We are salvaging the facility and related installations to keep them from being carried away by rising waters. Relocation is already underway,” he said.

The meeting also explored joint programs on food security, homegrown school meals program, refugee host management, the upcoming conference on Potential of Lake Turkana and future research.

World Food Program is one of the partners implementing prospects project that aims to unlock Turkanas’ blue economy potential.

WFP is also credited with supporting development of fisheries and aquaculture legislative framework in Turkana.