In response to the recent brutal attack on Todonyang residents by Ethiopian militias, the county government of Turkana has delivered two large patrol fibreglass boats, MV Kopito (280 HP) and MV Nail (85 HP), to enhance security and surveillance in Lake Turkana.
Chief Officer for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Evans Lomodei, stated that four out of 17 engines intended to equip wooden boats have already been delivered to the site to improve efficiency and restore livelihoods lost during the attack.
He also noted that 12 additional boats are currently under construction at the Catholic Mission in Todonyang, with one nearly complete at the Coast Guard yard in Lowareng’ak.
Additionally, the county government has delivered 300 fishing nets, 3,000 floaters, and 1,500 manila ropes for distribution to affected residents.
On Wednesday, the County Government of Turkana distributed 1,500 bags of maize to support households in Todonyang, Turkana North, two weeks after the attack on fishermen by Dassenech militia from Ethiopia.
According to the County Executive for Trade, Cooperatives, Gender, and Youth Affairs, Roseline Aite, 700 bags were allocated for victims in Todonyang, 500 bags for pastoralist kraals in Merikuka and 300 bags for residents of Lowareng’ak.
In addition, the county government has delivered 150 bags of livestock supplementary feeds, benefiting 130 households.
On Tuesday, the county also distributed non-food items including 50 utensil sets and 100 buckets, to 130 affected families.
Aite emphasized that the distribution of non-food items is part of a broader county government plan to respond to the humanitarian crisis and help restore lost livelihoods.
She encouraged affected households to form groups that could eventually develop into cooperative societies, enabling them to benefit from the Cooperative Enterprise Development Fund.
Aite further explained that adverse weather conditions delayed Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai Napotikan’s planned visit to Todonyang, where he intended to condole with bereaved families and oversee intervention efforts.
Chief Officer for Administration and Disaster Management, David Maraka, reassured victims of the county government’s continued support, saying there were plans to restore all lost livelihoods to restore normalcy.
Recipients of the county government’s humanitarian assistance, Agnes Ekutan and Bernard Etukon, expressed their appreciation for the support provided.
By Peter Gitonga
