Lodwar: The County Government, in partnership with UN-Habitat, has embarked on the development of an urban growth strategy aimed at ensuring inclusive and sustainable development in emerging urban areas in Turkana. Spearheaded by the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Areas Management, the initiative brings together various county departments to craft a shared vision that integrates legal, environmental, and social dimensions of urban planning.
According to Kenya News Agency, the urban growth strategy is being developed to manage the rapid urban transformation in Turkana effectively. Speaking during a multi-sectoral workshop in Lodwar, Chief Officer for Urban Areas Development, Stenza Lomorukai, emphasized the urgency of a coordinated approach to urbanization. Lomorukai highlighted the necessity of managing urban growth in a way that incorporates legal, environmental, and social aspects to create towns that truly serve the needs of the people in Turkana.
The strategy aims to ensure that both refugees and host communities benefit from planned infrastructure and services. UN-Habitat Engineer Erick Muchuku stressed the importance of a phased approach in developing the vision, starting with an assessment of existing infrastructure and identifying key gaps. Muchuku emphasized the need for a consultative approach to gather views from diverse groups, including refugee communities.
Chief Officer for Lands and Physical Planning, Leah Losiru, highlighted the importance of aligning the strategy with existing legal frameworks. Losiru stated that interventions would be anchored on the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and other legal documents to safeguard ongoing efforts while shaping future developments.
The workshop included discussions on cross-cutting concerns such as gender-responsive infrastructure and access for children and persons with disabilities. Key sectors like energy, waste management, water supply, education, security, and street lighting were also deliberated upon. Present at the workshop were Director of Roads Simon Nakucho, Assistant Director of Urban Areas David Edoket, Deputy Director for Physical Planning John Kilimo, Lodwar Municipality Deputy Manager Simon Nangiro, and Kowot Gabriel from Kakuma Municipality.
The UN-Habitat-supported programme, funded by the European Union, aims to strengthen urban development planning in Turkana County in line with international standards and inclusive growth principles.
