LODWAR — The Turkana County Government yesterday announced a partnership with SNV
Netherlands Development Organisation to support 10,000 young people from both host and
refugee communities through fisheries and aquaculture programs aimed at improving food
security and livelihoods.
The collaboration was announced during a courtesy meeting held in Lodwar between officials
from the County Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and representatives of SNV. Under
the programme, 7,000 beneficiaries will come from host communities, while 3,000 will be drawn
from refugee populations.
Discussions during the meeting focused on areas where the county and SNV can work together
to strengthen food security, with emphasis on improving fisheries and aquaculture across
Turkana.
Acting Deputy Director for Fisheries and Aquaculture John Bett identified quality assurance,
capture fisheries and aquaculture as the main areas of collaboration under SNV’s CASHA
Project.
“Aquaculture is an emerging and potentially viable sub-sector in Turkana, and the government is
happy to join hands with SNV and other sector players to meaningfully exploit this for the
benefit of the Turkana community,” Bett noted.
The CASHA Project (Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in
Kenya’s ASALs) is a five-year programme implemented by SNV Development Organization. It
seeks to create climate-resilient employment opportunities and improve livelihoods for 200,000
young people and women living in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands.
SNV Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor Ivy Mwihaki said the programme operates in 15
counties, supporting red meat, apiculture, aquaculture and related agricultural value chains. She
explained that SNV leads the aquaculture and capture fisheries component to help young people
access employment and earn sustainable incomes.
“Operating across 15 counties, the programme supports red meat, apiculture, aquaculture and
related agricultural value chains. SNV leads on aquaculture and capture fisheries, to create
pathways for young people to access jobs and earn a decent income,” Mwihaki said.
Mwihaki said CASHA will target 10,000 young people in Turkana, prioritising young women,
youth with disabilities and refugees in Turkana West, Turkana South, Turkana Central and
Loima sub-counties.
She added that SNV is proud to be part of the CASHA initiative, which is expanding
opportunities for young people across Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands. Funded by the
Mastercard Foundation and led by FAO, the programme brings together SNV, ILRI, BOMA,
E4Impact and KLMC to support poultry, beef, fodder production and alternative agri-food
enterprises.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited Jackdaughters Integrated Farm in Loborot,
Nabulon Village, where they inspected facilities including five fish ponds, an elevated CCTV-
monitored water tank fitted with an alarm system, a 25-cubic-metre storage tank, a solar-
powered borehole, goat and rabbit units, Napier grass and intercropped food crops.
Officials reviewed the farm’s achievements and challenges before identifying priority areas for
intervention to strengthen the agri-food enterprise.
John Lomilo, an advisor to Jackdaughters Farm and a teacher at a nearby primary school, said
the enterprise has continued to benefit its members despite production and market challenges.
“Through the circular economy model on two acres, proceeds from the farm are helping 100
members meet their daily needs and secure food for their households,” Lomilo said.
The team later visited Narukoo Fresh Fish Market in Kanamkemer, where discussions with
market officials highlighted the need for additional support from the County Department of
Fisheries and SNV.
Among the proposals was the fast-tracking of an integrated curriculum covering capture
fisheries, aquaculture and market access to train fishermen, fishmongers and transporters. The
officials also agreed to recruit more young people aged between 18 and 35 years into aquaculture
enterprises.
They further recommended transforming existing groups into cooperatives and SACCOs to
enable members to pool savings, access affordable loans and earn dividends.
Those who participated in the field visit included John Mcmei of SNV, Collins Louga and John
Ekeno from the Fisheries Department, fish market officials, Advisor Emmanuel Ekorot, Michael
Ekaran, Rebecca Aroo, Hellen Arukudi, Clementina Ekwanga, Lydia Nangor, Elizabeth Lotieng,
Daisy Nawoton and James Emorut.
