Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has acknowledged the support of UNHCR in complementing government programmes and suggested crafting of policies to minimize conflicts arising from distribution of resources to host communities and the refugees.
The Governor spoke when he hosted UNHCR’s Head of Kakuma Sub-Office Nanduri Sateech at the County headquarters in Lodwar.
Their discussion centered on collaboration between the County Government and United Nations (UN) agencies as well as auctioning of the UN vehicles that is slated for Monday (today) in Kakuma.
He said, “As a County Government, we are appreciative of the many years of support from the United Nations. The presence of development partners should have positive implication to the community’s economic growth”.
The County boss said locals in Turkana have been hospitable to other communities and reiterated the need by the leadership of UNHCR to look into the conduct of refugees which he said was unbecoming.
“Now we have integrated the refugees there should be a behavioral change to reflect discipline to the host and not create chaos even on highways,” said the Governor.
Lomorukai welcomed the move to auction the vehicles but insisted on fairness in prices now that it has been decided they be sold to locals who had no capacity to high stake prices for the UN vehicles.
On his part, Nanduri Sateech assured that the UNHCR would continue working with the County Government to strengthen partnerships that would be beneficial to the host community and the refugees.
He expressed optimism that the process of auctioning the vehicles will be undertaken smoothly.
Deputy County Secretary Joseph Nyang’a and County Executives David Erukudi (Trade), Peter Akono (Lands), Faith Aletea (Water), and Patrick Losike (Infrastructure) were in attendance.
County Chief of Staff Peter Loyapan, Fisheries Chief Officer Evans Lomodei.
By Peter Gitonga
