Turkana County and United Nations Agree New Plan for Refugee Integration
Lodwar, 26 August 2026
Turkana County has partnered with the UN refugee agency to implement a joint integration plan, enhancing socio-economic support for both refugees and local host communities.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement in Lodwar
On Tuesday, 25 August 2026, the Deputy Governor of Turkana County, Dr John Erus, hosted a high-level delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the county headquarters in Lodwar [1][3]. Led by the UNHCR Country Representative to Kenya, Fatima Mohammed-Cole, the bilateral talks focused on strengthening collaboration and coordinating sustainable development programmes within the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei settlement [1][3]. The discussions aimed to align local initiatives to address the socio-economic challenges faced by both the refugee populations and the host communities in Turkana, which is the second-largest county in Kenya covering an expansive area of 77,000 square kilometres [1].
Strategic Integration and the Shirika Plan
To ensure long-term stability and economic cohesion, the discussions centred on key development frameworks, including the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme (KISEDP), the Shirika Plan, and the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) [1][3]. Dr Erus highlighted the necessity of safeguarding the progress achieved through refugee inclusion programmes over the years, thanking the UNHCR and its partners for their ongoing support [1][3]. Ms Mohammed-Cole reaffirmed the UNHCR’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Turkana County Government and other development actors to support the welfare and livelihoods of both populations [3].
Legislative Alignment and Joint Action
In tandem with the executive discussions, the UNHCR and the Turkana County Assembly agreed on 25 August 2026 to develop a joint action plan to bolster refugee protection and local integration [2]. During a meeting between the Turkana County Assembly Speaker, Hon. Charles Lokioto Ewoi, and Ms Mohammed-Cole, the two institutions outlined a roadmap to map out priority areas, assign structural responsibilities, and set clear implementation timelines [2]. This collaborative effort is designed to make regional legislation and local policies highly responsive to the practical realities of refugee-hosting areas, with the UNHCR committing to deploying a dedicated technical team to work directly with the Assembly on policy formulation [2].
Enhancing Public Participation and Civic Oversight
The head of the UNHCR Kakuma Sub-Office, Sateesh Nanduri, praised the Assembly’s civic education efforts regarding amendments to its Standing Orders, which empower local citizens and refugees to submit petitions and participate directly in governance [2]. The high-level meetings were attended by key county administrative figures, including Chief Officers Janerose Tioko (Partnerships), Samwel Ekaale (Economic Planning), and Peter Ekaru (Fisheries), alongside Raphael Logum, the Director of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, and representatives from the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) [1][2][3]. This coordinated administrative presence underscores a unified commitment to transitioning refugee management from temporary aid to sustainable, policy-driven socio-economic integration [1][2][3].