Leaders from Turkana county and Eastern Equatorial state of South Sudan on Tuesday held talks in Lodwar to deepen ties between the two neighbouring communities and strengthen peace programmes.
Governor Josphat Nanok held talks with Minister Nominee for Peace Building in the Eastern Equatorial State of South Sudan, Marko Lokidor Lochapio at the County Government headquarters in Lodwar where they resolved to strengthen cooperation between Lodwar and Torit on cross-border peace programmes and mobilize support for ongoing infrastructural development.
“As an immediate neighbour who has felt the direct consequences of the South Sudanese conflict, Turkana County hopes for the successful implementation of the country’s peace agreement to enable it achieve lasting stability and realize its massive economic potential.
There are 190,000 refugees at Kakuma refugee camp among them South Sudan citizens who escaped violence. Other leaders who attended the meeting are deputy governor Peter Lotethiro, Deputy County Secretary Robert Loyelei among others.
Meanwhile, Nanok has reacted to comments on social media that three Turkana legislators from the county have requested to be evacuated from Kapedo due to insecurity.
The three legislators; James Lomenen (Turkana South), John Lodepe (Turkana Central) and Turkana East MP Mohammed Ali Lokiru had gone to Kapedo on Friday to distribute food supplies to families whose houses were torched by suspected Pokot bandits when they called for help due to insecurity.
Nanok said, “The Turkana MPs are not running away. They didn’t use helicopter to get to Kapedo. In fact they refused to be evacuated by police helicopter.”
Further, Nanok rubbished claims by lawyer Donald Kipkorir who accused him of doing little to address poverty, illiteracy and insecurity in the county.
In a tweet, Kipkorir alleged that Nanok was promising to improve lives of county residents yet he had done little while in power.
“Since 2013, the tenure of Gov. John Nanok, Turkana County has received over Sh200 billion. On the ground, Turkana County is as it always was: POVERTY, ILLITERACY & CATTLE-RUSTLING. But Nanok, the only Governor “Hustler Member” is promising the poor Heaven in 2022!” Kipkorir said.
However, in a quick rejoinder Nanok said, “The bitter propagandist is at it again. He has to please his masters by dirtying every other leader who holds a different opinion from his lords. You will never succeed, never. My work in Turkana within a short period speaks for itself. Try elsewhere”.
By Peter Gitonga
