Turkana County is in the process of drafting its first-ever Development Coordination Policy, aimed at harmonizing development efforts by various stakeholders and ensuring equitable, sustainable growth across the county.
A technical team, comprised of officials from the County Government of Turkana, Turkana University College, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has convened in Lokichar to develop the policy framework Supported by UNICEF.
The policy seeks to align the interventions of development partners, non-state actors, and both levels of government to eliminate duplication and improve resource efficiency.
Over the years, Turkana has attracted a wide array of development partners whose efforts have transformed multiple sectors.
However, a lack of coordination and the absence of a central policy has led to fragmented interventions.
The new policy aims to resolve these gaps by creating a unified structure that will guide development efforts moving forward.
Dr. Albert Gamoe, Deputy County Secretary, emphasized the importance of the policy in aligning all stakeholders—including donors, the private sector, and development partners—with the priorities outlined in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
“Once complete, the policy will ensure optimal use of limited financial resources by targeting priority areas, thus avoiding wastage and duplication of efforts,” said Dr. Gamoe.
Director of Economic Planning, Francis Lokwar, highlighted the current challenges, including lack of alignment with county priorities, inefficient resource allocation, and insufficient private sector engagement.
According to Lokwar, the new policy will address these issues and ensure a more coordinated approach to development.
He added that earlier this month, the County Government and County Assembly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkana University College to provide technical support in formulating the policy.
A comprehensive financial analysis has already been conducted to inform the drafting process.
Dr. Lucy Akinyi from Turkana University College presented the policy formulation structure to participants, expressing optimism that the draft policy would be completed within the agreed timelines.
Once operational, the policy will be monitored and evaluated to ensure that its goals and objectives are fully implemented, driving sustainable development across Turkana County.
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