TURKANA – The Sh740 million Turkana County Government headquarters in Lodwar remains largely unoccupied months after its formal handover, despite taking more than a decade to finish. Contractor Landmark Holdings Limited officially handed over the four-storey facility on July 28, 2025. Construction on the flagship project originally began in 2015 under the administration of former Governor Josphat Nanok.
Initially awarded at Sh695 million, subsequent contract variations pushed the total expenditure to Sh740,724,014. The prolonged timeline attracted investigation from the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations. Contractor Manjit Singh informed the committee that while main structural works wrapped up by 2019, unresolved subcontracts for plumbing and electrical installations—alongside delayed approval processes—caused years of lingering delays.
Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai acknowledged the historical delays but maintained that the facility is over 90 percent complete, with only final power connections, carpet installation in select offices, and minor finishing touches remaining. Governor Lomorukai emphasized that Turkana funded the entire Sh740 million project independently, without receiving the Sh500 million national government subsidy granted to several other counties. He added that Sh24 million remains legally payable to the contractor, subject to final consultant assessments.
Despite the delays, County Secretary Dr. Richard Ekai hailed the completion as a major milestone. Once fully operational, the modern complex will house the Office of the Governor alongside key departments to ease congestion, streamline administrative coordination, and improve service delivery.
Finance Executive Roseline Aite noted the headquarters would boost operational efficiency, while Public Works Executive Benson Lokwang attributed past setbacks to budgetary constraints, procurement hurdles, and alterations in project scope.
The decade-long project has sparked strong concern among Lodwar residents, with some demanding formal investigations into the allocation of public funds. Local resident Joseph Egialan contrasted Turkana’s slow progress with Trans Nzoia County’s timely headquarters completion, urging investigative agencies to determine whether official malpractice occurred and hold any responsible parties accountable.
Although full occupation remains pending, the complex has already hosted high-profile county functions, including the swearing-in of County Executive Committee members and the launch of the Turkana County Education Fund bursaries.
Local business owners are also anticipating commercial opportunities; Richard Taiswa, owner of Nanyorai Gardens, noted that landscaping and property maintenance around the modern elevated building could soon stimulate local enterprise. However, questions persist regarding exactly when the county administration will fully relocate and maximize the Sh740 million public investment.
