Turkana County is set to become the first in the North Rift Economic Block (NOREB) to establish a County Inspectorate Training Institute, following the commencement of construction at Nameturan in Lokitaung.
The County has already invested over KSh 15 million in the initial infrastructure, which includes a perimeter fence, an administration block, a two-classroom tuition block, a six-door staff quarters, a dormitory with a capacity for 80 trainees, and various sanitation facilities.
During an inspection of the site, Chief Officer for Public Service, Administration, and Disaster Risk Management, David Maraka, explained that the investment has been spread over three financial years—from 2021-2022 to 2023-2024.
“As we anticipate further investments in the 2024-2025 financial year to complete the facility, inspectorate staff should prepare to enrol in various training programs to enhance their capacity for service delivery,” Maraka said.
The decision to establish the institute and improve working conditions for county inspectorate and administrative staff was driven by the County Inspectorate Services Act of 2021, he added.
Maraka also noted that the contractors had adhered to the project timelines, and the County intends to continue investing in upgrading the existing facilities and expanding infrastructure.
The ongoing efforts to fully operationalize the institute by the end of the current financial year will also include provision of new kits for inspectorate services staff both for routine duties and ceremonial purposes, Chief Officer Maraka revealed.
“One of the programs we anticipate to offer at the institute is the use of security communication gadgets such as radio calls and incidence reporting.
This will pave way for equipping our officers with high frequency (HF) and (VHF) radio calls for enhanced service delivery,” Maraka said.
County Director of Inspectorate Services, Julius Lokaale, outlined that the institute will offer physical and mental endurance training in addition to capacity-building programs.
Lokaale emphasized that the institute would significantly reduce the County’s expenditure on external training, which currently requires sending inspectorate staff to other towns across Kenya.
“Apart from cost-saving, the institute will also generate revenue through tuition fees from staff and other groups utilizing its services,” Lokaale said.
He reiterated that the institute will cater to all administrative levels in addition to inspectorate personnel.
A local resident, Francis Ebei, expressed optimism about the project, noting that the community had donated 45 acres of land for the institution’s construction and future expansion.
“We hope that the facility will bring water and electricity, benefiting the neighbouring villages as well,” Ebei added.
Sub-County Administrator for Turkana North, Brenda Kokoi, who accompanied the Chief Officer during the inspection, said the institute will give the area a much-needed facelift and elevate its status as a hub for professional development.
“This is a welcome investment. It will accelerate our plans to elevate Lokitaung to municipality status,” Kokoi said.
Upon completion, the County plans to appoint a senior officer from the Inspectorate Unit to serve as the institute’s commandant.
The facility will equip inspectorate staff with the necessary skills to handle their daily duties, which include enforcement, inspection, and civilian security.
The facility will place Turkana in the same league with Homabay, Kakamega, Mombasa and Nyeri -with fully operational Institutes of Inspectorate Services Training.
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