Turkana residents call for prioritisation of peace, security in Sh17.1 billion budget

Call for peace and security dominated a public participation forum on Turkana County's proposed 2025/2026 budget estimates held on Tuesday.

During the forum held in Lokitaung, the majority of the participants called for the need to establish a Turkana North Peace Accord Festival aimed at addressing cross-border attacks from the neighbouring Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Michael Echwa, a village elder from Karebur who joined other residents to submit, cited that the region's proximity to Ethiopia and South Sudan and the recent cross-border attacks that claimed several lives, served as a justification for a dedicated peace initiative.

"A peace festival, modelled after Tobongulore, the Lokiriama Peace Accord, and Moru Atanayeche, would help prevent senseless killings like those witnessed at Todonyang," he said amid applause from the participants.

He stated that the county government initially proposed to allocate Sh85 million for peace initiatives and further led the locals to demand the inclusion of Turkana North into the proposed peace initiative or allocate fresh monies for peace programmes.

The residents urged the county government to prioritise investing in peace and security for full development to be attained in the region.

In addition to the peace initiatives, the residents made other proposals that include promoting fishing, street lighting, Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), empowering youth, water and agriculture.

Peter Pulkol, a religious leader from the Lakezone area, welcomed the proposed Sh9 million allocation for fishing gear and further the county government to increase the funding allocation for consideration of purchasing engine-powered motorboats and more advanced equipment for the locals whose livelihood was majorly in the fishing sector.

A youth leader representing Kaaleng/ Kaikor Wards expressed concern about disparities in the budget allocation for the ECDE sector, noting that only Sh2 million was earmarked for Nakolonyei village compared to Sh8 million for Kaikor.

"In our view, Nakolonyei should be prioritised, since children were currently learning under a tree. It deserves an allocation of Sh8 million as well," he said.

He also called for consideration of allocating funds for street lights and the establishment of a youth centre to help curb rising crime levels.

He also appealed for the inclusion of an irrigation scheme project at Kaajukjuk, an area he said had over 100 acres of arable land, which was previously proposed in the last financial year but later omitted.

In Lapur Wards, residents proposed redirecting a road project from National-Nayannaekoron to Karkorepus, while maintaining the original Sh3 million allocation.

Kennedy Birgen, the team lead of the budget public participation, emphasised the need to manage expectations since the budget constraint would not allow for the implementation of every proposed project. He explained that delays in previous years' projects were caused by a supplementary budget adjustment that slashed over Sh 400 million from the county's development funds.

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• security in Sh17.1 billion budget

In accordance with the 2010 Kenyan Constitution that recognises public participation as a fundamental principle of governance, the county government has embarked on public participation, allowing people to submit views on the Sh17.1 billion budget proposal.

On Monday, residents of Turkana South, Turkana East and Aroo sub-counties were engaged, giving their views on the budget.

Strengthening the ECDE sector, drilling of more boreholes, operationalisation of ward and village administration offices and health sector dominated proposals submitted.