Lodwar, March 16th 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The second edition of the Turkana County Assembly’s “Bunge Mashinani” sitting will be held in June 2026 at Lokichar Ward in Turkana South.

The announcement was made during a planning meeting attended by John Erus, Deputy Governor of Turkana County, Charles Lokioto, Speaker of the Turkana County Assembly, several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), and development partners.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Erus called on development partners to strengthen their support to the County Assembly in order to enhance its capacity to effectively discharge its core mandates of representation, legislation, and oversight.

He noted that fulfilling these responsibilities requires significant resources at a time when budgetary allocations continue to shrink.

“One of the most powerful institutions created by the new constitution was the County Assembly. However, they need to be supported to implement new and innovative civic engagement initiatives such as the “Bunge Mashinani” program. This is the best way to expand Assembly’s outreach,” Deputy Governor Dr John Erus said.

The DG also pledged that the county executive would engage development partners with proposals aimed at supporting the initiative.

Speaker Lokioto confirmed that among the key business to be conducted during the sitting will be the consideration and processing of the 2026/2027 county budget.

Referring to the previous edition held in Kakuma, the Speaker said the program had provided an opportunity for both host and refugee communities to raise concerns affecting them during the public forum known as “Bunge la Mwananchi.”

“We expect that one of the key issues this time will be oil and gas, especially considering that residents have already been engaged on the Oil Field Development Plan (FDP). The Assembly will structure its proceedings to give prominence to the oil issue,” he said.

Members of the County Assembly leadership also addressed the meeting, where participants discussed a roadmap leading up to the proposed June 2026 sitting in Lokichar.

Chief Officer for Partnerships Janerose Tioko, County Attorney Ruth Emanikor, KISEDP WASH director Godfrey Ikone, Director Partnerships Mike Aupe and Lodwar law court Judge Patrick Otieno.

Representatives from the banking sector, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, TDH, DRC, VNGI, World Vision, AMREF, TUPADO, UNRCO, Humanity and Inclusion, Loropio learning lions/value villages, Plan International, Swiss Contact, Peace Wind Japan, RCK and Save the Children were present.