Lokipetot (Lodwar), May 14, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

Over 100 farmers in Lokipetot and Naurenpuu villages in Turkana Central have received 53 acres of land on Thursday in a deliberate move to enhance food self-sufficiency.

The farmers beamed with excitement, each getting o.5 acres, and showed readiness to farm, owing to the current rainy season.

“There is a need to utilize farm mechanization for farmers to start farming and tap water flowing in River Turkwel,” said Charles Ayanae Namus, Lokipetot Irrigation Management Committee Chairperson.

Rael Amase, a farmer, asked county officials for support with seeds and farm tools to start planting after clearing bushes and managing Prosopis. She noted most of the farm beneficiaries are female-headed households.

A Committee Member, Isaya Emanikor lauded the county government’s initiative calling it self-sustaining and addressing household food insecurity.

He asked the government and the KfW to consider increasing the land under crop production to 100 acres from 53, to accommodate more farmers, saying there is enough land for expansion.

Addressing farmers, the Chief Officer for Agriculture and Land Reclamation, David Maraka said the project aims to make farming a complement to pastoralism.

“I find no reason why we are food insecure yet we have water flowing in Rivers Turkwel, Kerio and backflow in Lake Turkana?” Maraka asked.

He said the County, DRPNK, KfW and other stakeholders want Lokipetot Irrigation to become a model in Turkana central, where others will benchmark.

He added that he expects bumper harvest in the next three months and farmers will start benefiting from the land.

Maraka further said, “the phase two hinges on the success of the current one, challenging the farmers to be proactive to avoid relying on relief food.

Michael Ekwanga, the County Project Coordinator for DRPNK, thanked farmers for agreeing to start the project despite months of delay after the site contractor finished work.

“This Project is a major step towards food security, working with stakeholders will drive our intentions into reality,” remarked EKwanga.

He further noted Lokipetot will add to other irrigation schemes, tapping potential to increase crop production and feed future generations.

Supporting the project, Director of Irrigation and Land Reclamation, Richard Lokoyan deployed two irrigation engineers until it reaches full utilization.

He also pledged to solving challenges that come with canals through water scheduling during the project phase.

His counterpart, Aaron Nanok, Director of Agriculture, assured farmers of seeds and farm mechanization when planting is ready.

The Agriculture Director deployed two agronomists and Officers led by Janet Akipetot, Turkana Central Sub-county Agricultural Officer, to support extension services for the farmers.

Sub-county Administrator, Esther Kiyonga asked the CCO and DRPNK Coordinator to facilitate benchmarking at Natoot, Katilu, Lokubae or Morulem for learning.

Kibet Chepkwony, the Technical Consultant in DRPNK, said the need for expansion of the current land into 100 acres, depends on the utilization of the current land and needing more farmers.

The consultant clarified the 12-month defects liability covers defects arising from farm operationalization, once handed over to farmers. He advised them to maximize the window period for full farm benefit.

Chepkwony added there is a trained project team on operations and maintenance, so no cause for alarm.