TURKANA-Kakuma Pride FC has made history for Turkana County after securing a remarkable 2-1 victory over Nairobi-based Kahawa Pride FC in an exciting football match played at Nyayo National On Wednesday July 28 2026.

The historic win came just a day after the Kakuma-based club arrived in Nairobi with a squad of 20 determined players, all eager to prove that football talent from Kakuma can compete at the highest level. For many of the players, the trip represented more than just another fixture it was an opportunity to showcase the immense potential of young footballers from both the refugee and host communities.

The match lived up to expectations, with both sides displaying quality football from the opening whistle. Kahawa Pride FC started strongly and created several early chances, but Kakuma Pride remained disciplined and well-organized, frustrating their opponents with a solid defensive performance.

Striker Cito broke the deadlock with a clinical finish to give Kakuma Pride the lead. Kahawa Pride fought back and found an equalizer in the second half, setting up a tense finale. However, Cito once again rose to the occasion, scoring his second goal to seal a memorable 2-1 victory for the visitors. His outstanding brace earned him the Man of the Match award and highlighted his growing reputation as one of Kakuma’s most promising footballers.

The victory also marked a major milestone for head coach Ebola, a refugee living in Kakuma Refugee Camp, who became the first coach from Kakuma to guide a team to victory at Nyayo National Stadium. His tactical discipline, confidence in young players, and leadership throughout the match received widespread praise.

Speaking after the final whistle, Coach Ebola described the victory as a proud moment for Kakuma and everyone who believes in grassroots football.

“We came to Nairobi with one mission to prove that Kakuma has exceptional football talent. The players followed the game plan with great discipline and fought for every ball. This victory belongs to the people of Kakuma, Turkana County, and everyone who has supported this team,” said Ebola.

Match hero Cito dedicated the victory to his teammates, saying teamwork was the key to their success.

“These goals are not just mine; they belong to the entire team. Every player gave everything on the pitch, and we believed in each other until the final whistle. We hope this victory inspires more young players from Kakuma to chase their dreams,” he said.

The historic triumph is expected to inspire more young footballers across Turkana County and Kakuma Refugee Camp while encouraging greater investment in grassroots football. It also demonstrates that, with the right opportunities and support, talented players from refugee communities can compete successfully on Kenya’s biggest football stages.

For years, Kakuma has largely been overlooked in Kenyan football despite producing a wealth of talented players. Coaches and sports stakeholders believe the region has enormous football potential but continues to face limited investment, inadequate facilities, and few opportunities for players to be scouted by professional clubs.

Kakuma’s football potential is perhaps best illustrated by the success of Awer Mabil, who spent part of his childhood in Kakuma Refugee Camp before his family was resettled in Australia. Mabil went on to represent the Australian national team and featured at the FIFA World Cup 2026, demonstrating that players with roots in Kakuma can reach the highest level of international football when given the necessary support and opportunities.

TURKANA WEST-Residents of Namon Sub-location in Lopur Ward, Turkana West Constituency, have appealed to the County Government of Turkana to urgently intervene as worsening drought conditions continue to threaten the livelihoods of pastoralist communities.

The residents say months of prolonged dry weather have dried up water sources and grazing fields, leading to severe livestock losses and exposing families to hunger. They are calling for immediate emergency relief, including food aid, water trucking, livestock support, and long-term drought mitigation measures to prevent the situation from worsening.

“Our animals are dying because there is no water or pasture. Families are going hungry, and without urgent intervention, the situation will only get worse,” one resident said.

As food shortages intensify, many households have resorted to eating wild edible plants to survive. Residents say some of the plants can be toxic if not properly prepared, forcing families to boil them for up to 24 hours before they are safe for consumption.

The worsening situation comes months after the County Assembly of Turkana, in March 2026, raised concerns over the allocation and utilization of KSh100 million set aside for disaster management, questioning whether the funds had translated into effective drought preparedness and emergency response across the county.

The concerns emerged during a sitting of the County Assembly’s Committee on General Oversight as the county reviewed its Disaster Risk Management Policy to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Appearing before the committee, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Public Service, Administration and Disaster Management Patrick Losike Lokaimoe said his department works closely with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the agency mandated to coordinate drought management interventions in affected counties.

“We are working through a multi-sectoral coordination forum under the County Steering Group, which brings together the County Government, Members of the County Assembly, the National Government, the National Drought Management Authority, and our humanitarian and development partners to coordinate drought mitigation and emergency response interventions,” he added.

Despite those measures, the drought has continued to worsen across parts of Turkana. In Loima, nutrition screenings found dozens of children suffering from moderate and severe acute malnutrition, highlighting the growing impact of food insecurity on vulnerable households.

Earlier this year, Elelea Health Facility in Lokori/Katilia Ward was forced to rely on water transported from Lotubae after its water supply failed, disrupting sanitation and the provision of essential health services. Health officials have also reported rising cases of child malnutrition in Nakauron and Lotubae, warning that dependence on transported water increases the risk of contamination and waterborne diseases.

“We are treating patients without adequate water for sanitation and hygiene,” a health worker said, adding that even routine healthcare had become increasingly difficult.

Health expert added that. “Reliance on transported water significantly increases the risk of contamination, exposing communities to waterborne diseases and further straining an already fragile health system,”.

Residents are now urging the County Government of Turkana and humanitarian partners to fast-track emergency food assistance, expand water trucking programmes, rehabilitate strategic water sources, and invest in sustainable water infrastructure to protect lives, safeguard livestock, and build resilience against recurring drought.

LOKICHAR, TURKANA — Leaders and residents in Turkana County are demanding total transparency and a fair share of revenues from Gulf Energy’s oil project, warning that host communities will not tolerate being sidelined as the region edges closer to commercial production.

During a series of public engagements held on Tuesday, participants called on the national government and Gulf Energy to publish all underlying agreements and implement strict accountability frameworks before any oil extraction begins.

The call comes after years of anticipation following the discovery of oil in the basin. Lokichar Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Samuel Lomodo emphasized that local patience is wearing thin.

“The people of Turkana deserve to know how this resource will benefit them,” Lomodo said. “Transparency and accountability must come before oil production starts.”

A major point of contention for residents is the proposed production-sharing arrangement. Community members expressed alarm that high cost-recovery provisions favoring the developer could significantly delay financial returns to both the county government and local populations. They urged policymakers to establish stronger safeguards to prevent the region’s wealth from being drained without local benefit.

Echoing these concerns, community representative Philip Eyenai insisted that both the state and investor guarantee tangible, long-term returns for the region.

“Oil should transform the lives of the people living in Turkana,” Eyenai said. “The agreements must protect community interests and ensure fair sharing of the benefits.”

Residents also stressed the need for legally binding commitments covering revenue allocation, job creation, and local infrastructure development rather than non-binding promises.

“Our fear is that oil will leave Turkana while poverty remains,” noted resident Robert Lochio. “We want clear commitments that guarantee lasting benefits for the people.”

As preparations for commercial operations move forward, the message from Lokichar remains unequivocal: openness, active community participation, and an equitable distribution of proceeds must be established as non-negotiable prerequisites before the pumps start running.