Development partners engaged in implementation of development projects have been urged to strengthen coordination with County departments to ensure sustainability of programmes.
According to a dispatch released from the Turkana county office last Tuesday, after a briefing of Kenya Livestock Market Systems (LMS) programme an activity under USAID Kenya’s Feed the Future Initiative, the governor Josphat Nanok called for structured investment of donor funds using the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) as a guide for effective development.
The USAID delegation was led by Chief of Party JF Beauchesne.
Started in 2017, the initiative seeks to strengthen pastoralists’ resilience, reduce poverty, hunger and undernutrition by among others, developing livestock related businesses, diversifying livelihoods and improving access to capital.
Nanok called for LMS funding to support his administration’s objective of commercializing livestock production through better linkage with external markets and investment to improve standards of products from Turkana to meet demand of the international world.
He decried the fact that the livestock sector in Turkana remained the least marketed, despite having the largest population of livestock in arid Kenya.
As part of investment by the County Government to improve standards of livestock products, the Governor highlighted the multiplication and breeding centre in Lomosogol and livestock holding ground in Napeililim projects which are nearing completion.
He also directed the County Livestock department to establish market days which will be gazetted.
Mr. Beauchesne briefed senior County Government officials led by the Governor on the progress of projects under LMS and urged for support from the devolved unit to ensure sustainability and have the successes replicated across the county.
On his part, Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro commended LMS focus on ward development but urged for better monitoring for effective investment of funds meant for Turkana to achieve set goals.
USAID’s Senior Director, Resilience and Growth Kavita Chambery assured of LMS commitment to promote self-reliance through local ownership of projects as part of measures to ensure sustainability of the investments.
Others attending the meeting included County Secretary Peter Eripete, CECs Chris Aletia (Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries) and Emathe Namuar (Water Services), Chief Officers Dr. Michael Eregae (Livestock and Veterinary Services), Gladys Arika (Administration and Disaster Management), Moses Natome (Water Services) Joshua Lemuya (Lands), Abraham Losinyen (Agriculture and Land Reclamation) Pauline Lokuruka (Tourism, Culture and Natural Resources) and Dr. Lolelea Natade (Education, Sports and Social Protection).
By Peter Gitonga
