Nairobi: Turkana Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus has urged faith-based organizations implementing development and humanitarian programmes in the county to formalize their engagement with the County Government through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Erus made the call during a meeting with a delegation from the Free Pentecostal Fellowship in Kenya (FPFK). He emphasized that formal agreements would enhance coordination, eliminate duplication of efforts, and ensure development interventions align with the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
The FPFK delegation visited the Deputy Governor to introduce the Ubunifu Youth and Environmental Project, a three-year initiative aimed at equipping out-of-school youth aged between 18 and 35 with employable skills, while also strengthening their capacity for climate change adaptation from 2026 to 2028.
Dr. Erus highlighted the county government’s commitment to collaborating with partners, including faith-based organizations, for the benefit of the community. However, he stressed the need for signing binding MoUs to formalize such engagements.
He commended FPFK for its contributions to Turkana’s development since 2019, noting that its programmes have bolstered community resilience through interventions in health, education, livelihoods, peacebuilding, and environmental conservation.
Dr. Erus mentioned that the Office of the County Attorney, in collaboration with the Directorate of Partnerships, would assist FPFK in developing an MoU to guide its partnership with the county government.
Speaking on behalf of FPFK, Turkana Regional Bishop John Lokuruka stated that the Ubunifu Youth and Environmental Project is being implemented in partnership with the Norwegian Pentecostal Mission (NPM) with funding from Digni. Bishop Lokuruka assured that despite the project’s launch and ongoing implementation, FPFK is committed to formalizing its collaboration with the county government.
He further noted that FPFK’s interventions in Turkana encompass climate change adaptation, renewable energy, water and health services, livelihoods, peacebuilding, and resilience programmes.
The meeting was attended by Deputy County Secretary Dr. Albert Gamoe, Director of Protocol Peter Lomauge, and Deputy Director of Partnerships Michael Aupe. FPFK was represented by Ubunifu Youth and Environmental Project Officer Alga Balla, Turkana Climate Change Programme Officer Daniel Mbugua, and Peace and Resilience Programme Officer Alex Echom.
