A Kakuma-based social enterprise organization, InkoMoko has invested Sh155 million in the last three years to train 4,500 business owners including refugees and local community members.
The organization’s Chief Operations Officer Sara Leedom, speaking when she visited the County Governor Jeremiah Lomurukai in his office in Lodwar town, said plans were underway to finance a further 6,500 entrepreneurs in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Natira villages next year.
Addressing the forum, Lomurukai said development partners working in Turkana have been advised to initiate projects across the county to ensure equal development of the region.
He said the needs of local people were similar across the county, while urging development partners to support efforts to address the challenges on equal basis.
“Challenges being faced by residents are similar across Turkana, thus the need for all partner organizations to ensure equity in resource distribution,” he said.
On development programmes targeting refugees and host communities, the governor urged development partners to treat the host community and refugees in the same manner and also extend their programmes to other regions outside Turkana West.
Lomurukai commended Inkomoko for their Kakuma programme aimed at supporting SMEs though capacity building and financing.
He said the support to groups, especially women and youth, will in the long run build resilience and reduce dependency on relief aid.
The governor said his administration valued the input of all development partners, involved in implementation of various programmes that contribute to enterprise development in Turkana, which he said will create jobs, boost wealth creation and grow the economy.
However, he asked Inkomoko organization to work with the line ministries to ensure synergy of investments.
The governor assured the team that the county administration will continue to formulate and implement policies that support the development of an enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive.
This, he said, was part of implementation of his agenda on Trade, Industries and Enterprise Development.
On her part, Leedom promised that the organization will work closely with the county to achieve their objectives of the project.
Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus welcomed the organization’s partnership noting that success of the Governor’s agenda on enterprise development will require other stakeholders support to succeed.
County Secretary Peter Eripete asked Inkomoko to build the capacity of high potential sectors of the economy, including the fish traders in Kakuma and other investments in major urban centres.
By Peter Gitonga
