Lokichar, May 8, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The Deputy County Secretary, Joseph Nyang’a today officiated a 3-day joint work planning workshop between the County Executives and the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands’ Municipalities (VNG International) at Lokichar, Turkana South.

The workshop aimed to discuss the potential and actual role of county government in migration policy implementation and socio-economic development, to jointly develop an implementation work plan for Turkana County.

In his remarks, DCS commended the VNG International team for their commitment to work with the County Government ahead of the official launch in Turkana later in the month. He also asked the VNG International Project Officer, Isaiah Ekai who presented an overview of the organization, to continue to work with the technical committee to ensure the interests of the people and the county government are well represented.

He further added that the working relationship between the county and the VNG resonates well with the Governor’s Agenda Nine which spells out the collaboration and partnerships.

The organization intends to contribute to the improved responsiveness of county governments to both host and refugee communities’ needs in Turkana and Garissa Counties through adaptable service solutions.

This will be done through their Sustainable Development through Improved Local Governance Programme (SDLG), which aims to provide county governments with the tools to move from humanitarian efforts to sustainable development in addressing the medium to long-term socio-economic impacts of forced displacement,

VNG International will support Turkana County in providing quality services to both the host and refugee communities by strengthening their capacities in refugee management and service delivery, and evidence-based data collection through lobbying, and advocacy efforts.

The County Government officials present include; Raphael Logum (Director of Resource Mobilization and Partnerships), Dr. Benson Long’or (Director of veterinary Services), Michael Aupe (Deputy Director of Resource Mobilization and Partnerships), James Lokwale (Director of trade), Emmanuel Nabenyo (Director Legal Services), Phoebe Ekali (Director, Environment), Esther Njeri (Assistant Director, Public Communication and Media Relations), Samson Ekalale (Senior Economist), Echwa Mzungu Richard (Deputy Director, ICT), and John Ekaru (Acting Director, Monitoring and Evaluation).