Turkana may have voted for CORD in the 2013 elections, but that has not stopped President Uhuru Kenyatta to stage a robust campaign to claim the lions share in its votes ahead of the August 8 General Elections.
Ever since Kenya gained independence in 1964, the region has always been shunned by successive governments until 2013 when the Jubilee administration took over. The change in fortune is evident and measurable looking at the Sh50 billion Turkana County received over the last four years under the devolution agenda and what it has done to turn around the region, as well as more billions in investments by the national government that have significantly improved the lives of the pastoral community.
Such was the crest that President Uhuru Kenyatta surfed on as he toured the region to showcase the reality of what his government has done to turn around the lives of many. Now the progress the north western county has made in the last four years – including the delivery of electricity, water, improved health services and roads is a dream many of Turkana people are happy to live.
The fact that the crowds that thronged the rallies the President attended were so enthusiastic, throws the spanner in the works of NASA who had claimed that the Opposition had a firm grip on the vote in Turkana. It would be ideal to state that crowds do not necessarily mean votes, but it would be an irrational idea to imagine that all that welcomed the President and his team were outsiders and not likely to endorse him for another five year term.
It is a reality that is dawning on the region and they cannot continue to shy away from the fact, this is the first government to work tirelessly to open up the region and embrace the community and that for the last four years Jubilee administration has initiated the construction and tarmacking of 650 km of roads.
It is also important to note that the government has overseen works at Kakuma town and the refugee town, which is now being connected to electricity through a diesel powered generator. Indeed the whole of Turkana is going to be connected to the national grid courtesy of the switching-on of the last mile connection project in Lokichar.
The government has upgraded Lodwar hospital to Level 5 by investing Sh430 million through the Managed Equipment Services and also Lopiding Hospital to Level 4 by equipping it with medical facilities of Sh380 million under the same MES programme.
Today Turkana people have health services right at their door steps. The patients are no longer travelling to Kitale or Eldoret for better healthcare. The national government, in conjunction with County administration, has overseen the installation of theatre equipment, sterilisation and surgical sets, renal, imaging and radiology equipment in Lodwar and therefore locals can get proper medical help within their county.
Turkana has had over the last four years an opportunity to start correcting the errors of past governments and directing resources to where the residents feel they are needed the most.
Of course there is the rift between Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok. Coming from a county that prides itself as the origin of mankind – it was on the barren lands near Lake Turkana that the fossils of our early ancestors were found – Mr Nanok terms devolution “the birth of independence in Turkana.” The governor has been proud of the achievements but has also been critical of the shortcomings.
However, after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s pitch to Turkana people, it is only through the August 8 General Elections that will determine who wins the region’s vote for the Presidency.
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