Kenya's Turkana County Partners with Corps Africa to Drive Youth Volunteerism
Lodwar, 28 August 2026
Turkana County has partnered with Corps Africa Kenya to empower local youth through volunteerism, driving community-led development across Kenya’s second-largest county.
A Strategic Alliance for Localised Development
On Wednesday, 26 August 2026, the Turkana County Government convened a key planning meeting in Lodwar with representatives from Corps Africa Kenya to establish a collaborative framework aimed at deepening youth participation in regional development [1][2]. This partnership seeks to leverage volunteerism as a vehicle to integrate skilled young people directly into the county’s developmental agenda [1][2]. Covering an expansive area of 77,000 square kilometres, Turkana stands as Kenya’s second-largest county [1]. The vast geography presents distinct logistical and development challenges, making localized, community-led interventions essential for sustainable progress [1][GPT].
Leveraging Local Talents for Community Ownership
According to Thomas Mogaka, the Deputy Country Director of Corps Africa Kenya, the program is specifically designed to bridge the gap between skilled local youth and public sector development goals [1]. By deploying volunteers to facilitate projects identified by local residents, the initiative aims to enhance community ownership over development outcomes [1]. Ekodi Nicholas, the Program Coordinator for Corps Africa Kenya, emphasised that this model guarantees that development interventions are directly aligned with the self-identified priorities of the communities themselves, rather than being imposed from the outside [1].
Fostering Cohesion Across Host and Refugee Communities
In a region marked by its unique demographic composition, including substantial refugee populations alongside local host communities, the partnership holds significant potential for promoting social cohesion and shared development [GPT]. Turkana County’s geographical position in the north-westernmost corner of Kenya makes it a critical hub for humanitarian and development integration [1][GPT]. By actively engaging youth from both host and refugee communities in volunteer activities, the initiative can mitigate resource-based tensions and foster collaborative problem-solving [GPT]. This inclusive approach ensures that the benefits of capacity building and community-led development are equitably distributed, reinforcing local stability and economic resilience [1][GPT].
Institutional Synergy and Future Prospects
Linus Ekidor, the Deputy Director for Gender and Youth Affairs, welcomed the collaboration, noting that partnerships providing practical skills to the youth are vital for supplementing government-led initiatives [1]. He highlighted that bringing in external technical expertise and innovative ideas from organisations like Corps Africa Kenya strengthens the county’s capacity to address local challenges [1]. Furthermore, Faith Akiru of the Turkana Development Trust reiterated that putting communities at the centre of development empowers local youth to become active drivers of change rather than passive beneficiaries of aid [1].
A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Regional Progress
The meeting in Lodwar brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, reflecting a highly coordinated multi-sectoral approach [1][3]. Key attendees included Dennis Saizi, the County Economist, Samson Ekamais from County Partnership, George Ndege of the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), and representatives from civil society organisations such as Virginia Ekeno of Empowering Youth Era, and Emal Carlos and Alany Narot of Sedat Kenya [1]. Moving forward, the Sector Working Group is slated to maintain continuous engagement with Corps Africa Kenya to align the volunteer program with the specific development priorities of Turkana County [1].