Turkana Deputy Governor Discusses Key Developments And Initiatives For The County
The Mt Kenya Times 
Doctor John Erus, Turkana Deputy Governor. Picture: Twitter
By James Mutua
Turkana County Deputy Governor, Dr. John Erus Lopeyok, on Thursday shed light on various initiatives and developments in Turkana County during an exclusive interview. Over the past three days, Dr. Lopeyok has been involved in several activities aimed at enhancing service delivery and strengthening citizen capacity in the county.
The first major activity involved discussions on revenue allocation by the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA). These discussions, according to Dr. Lopeyok, are crucial in developing a fair formula for revenue sharing among counties. The Deputy Governor highlighted that the discussions would continue with a select committee of the CoG presenting the final proposals at a hotel in Mombasa Road.
The second significant activity was the peer review of twelve counties, including Turkana, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). This review is a voluntary process where counties undergo assessment by the Nepali Secretariat, comprised of eminent persons. Dr. Lopeyok emphasized that this peer review process is essential for learning and improving governance and service delivery in the counties. He strongly believes that public engagement and empowerment are key components in enhancing the governance process.
In addition to these governance-focused activities, Turkana County is also focusing on food security. The county has partnered with the African Population Health Research Center (APHRC) to improve food security through hydroecology. Dr. Lopeyok mentioned that this collaboration includes initiatives such as ecosystem restoration and the use of technology for proper rangeland management. The Deputy Governor expressed optimism that these initiatives would address the long-term challenges of food security in the county.
One of the innovative ideas being explored by the county is integrating livelihood systems centered around livestock with the growth of permanent settlements. This initiative, which is being discussed with partners including the County of Laikipia, Samburu representatives, and APHRC, aims to restore degraded lands, especially in Turkana West, where refugees are being settled.
Dr. Lopeyok emphasized the importance of local solutions to Turkana’s challenges. He stated that the Turkana County Government is excited about the potential of community-led initiatives, supported by local institutions such as Turkana University, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and APHRC. These initiatives aim to develop sustainable farming practices that are climate-responsive and tailored to the needs of the local community.
Reflecting on the peer review process, Dr. Lopeyok acknowledged the courage of the twelve counties that volunteered for assessment. He believes that this process will encourage inter-county learning and the sharing of best practices, ultimately contributing to the success of devolution in Kenya.
The Deputy Governor concluded by stressing the importance of public participation and democratic governance at the county level. He expressed hope that the peer review process and other initiatives would create an enabling environment for development and ensure that the voices of the Turkana community are heard and respected.
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