Turkana County Assembly Deputy Speaker Hon. Gilbert Topos has called on local lawmakers to continually sharpen their governance skills to better serve marginalized communities and drive accountable leadership across the region.
Speaking during the opening of a three-day capacity building workshop, Topos emphasized that Members of County Assembly (MCAs) play a critical frontline role in advocating for vulnerable populations who face persistent barriers to public services. He commended VNG International for supporting initiatives that enhance the legislative capacity of local leaders to fulfill their constitutional mandates.
“It is important that we continue building our knowledge and skills so that we can serve our people with integrity, competence, and accountability,” Topos stated.
The training, organized for the Turkana County Assembly Women Caucus, focuses on Gender-Responsive Legislation and Oversight in Refugee Affairs. It aims to equip female legislators with practical tools in gender-responsive governance, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis, and the application of GESI principles in lawmaking and county oversight.
Echoing the Deputy Speaker’s call to action, Women Caucus Chairperson Hon. Ruth Kuya urged female MCAs to remain united in advancing the rights of women and girls. She highlighted that strong solidarity among women leaders is vital for amplifying marginalized voices and ensuring equal participation in socioeconomic development.
The workshop comes at a critical time for Turkana County, which hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations, including the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement. Participants are expected to leverage the training to draft inclusive local laws, strengthen oversight of county-level development programs, and foster equitable governance across both host and refugee communities.
