Turkana Deputy Governor Calls on Local Businesses to Drive Job Creation
Kakuma, 15 August 2026
At a recent Kakuma trade fair, Deputy Governor Dr John Erus urged development fund beneficiaries to transition into commercial enterprises, boosting employment for both refugees and host communities.
From Seed Capital to Commercial Ventures
The Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF) recently held a two-day Exhibition and Trade Fair at the grounds of Kakuma Mixed Primary School in Kakuma Town, Turkana County, which concluded on 13 August 2026 [2][4]. The event, organised in partnership with the Turkana Chapter of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), served as a vital platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations and build networks for expansion [1]. During the trade fair, the Deputy Governor of Turkana County, Dr John Erus, urged KKCF beneficiaries to transition their businesses into commercial ventures capable of generating sustainable employment for both the host and refugee communities [1][2].
From Seed Capital to Commercial Ventures (continued)
According to Dr Erus, funding from the World Bank Group-IFC program delivered via the KKCF should be viewed as seed capital rather than long-term dependency aid [1][2]. He emphasised that the true measure of a business’s success lies in its ability to expand employment opportunities, transitioning from micro-enterprises into robust commercial operations that foster local self-reliance [1][2]. This focus on economic sustainability is particularly critical in Turkana, which is the second-largest county in Kenya by land area, spanning approximately 77,000 square kilometres [1][GPT].
Infrastructure and Policy Support for Local Trade
To facilitate this commercial transition, the Turkana County Government has actively implemented several business-support initiatives [2]. These actions include pushing for the elevation of Kakuma to municipal status, establishing the Kakuma Biashara Huduma Centre, and constructing the Kakuma Modern Market [1][2]. Looking ahead, the county plans to expand the Kakuma Modern Market further by constructing a new slaughterhouse and upgrading the road network connecting Kakuma to Letea, which will improve market access and reduce transit costs for local traders [1][2].
Infrastructure and Policy Support for Local Trade (continued)
In addition to physical infrastructure, local business leaders are advocating for regulatory reforms to streamline commerce. Paul Erukudi, the Chief Executive Officer of the KNCCI Turkana Chapter, noted that the exhibition demonstrated the county’s readiness for increased investment [1][2]. To sustain this momentum, Erukudi recommended that the county government implement official regulations for market days and establish a structured trading calendar [1][2]. Meanwhile, Winnie Loposh, the Director for Trade, assured entrepreneurs that the county government’s business support programmes will continue even after the eventual exit of the KKCF [1][2].
Cultivating Economic Integration and Resilience
The commercial viability of the region is heavily bolstered by the peaceful coexistence between the host community and refugee populations [1][2]. Thomas Siele, the Kakuma Camp Manager and Head of the Department of Refugee Services, advised local traders to consolidate their operations within the Kakuma market before attempting to expand into Lodwar or other regional towns, pointing out the untapped consumer potential within the local area [1][2]. This collaborative environment allows businesses to thrive, as demonstrated by Elizabeth Lokoolio of Silo Feeds, who is one of the 120 KKCF investees [1][2]. Lokoolio shared that her enterprise has successfully grown into a processing industry that is now capable of hiring local staff and attracting external business partners [1][2].
Cultivating Economic Integration and Resilience (continued)
This shift towards economic inclusion and self-reliance represents a broader evolution in humanitarian assistance [3]. Anne Mburu, an attendee who showcased products made by women from a local Safe Shelter during the KKCF Market Day, observed that refugees possess immense creativity, skills, and ambition that extend far beyond basic survival needs [3]. Mburu argued that livelihood and economic inclusion initiatives must complement traditional aid to give individuals the dignity of participating in and building their own futures [3]. With key development partners such as the World Food Program, UNHCR, Inkomoko, and several commercial banks attending the fair, the event highlighted a collective commitment to transforming Kakuma into a self-sustaining economic hub [1].