Turkana County to establish fish processing plant

A trader in Lodwar town packing fish from Lake Turkana ready for transportation. [File, Standard]

The County Government of Turkana has embarked on a process to establish a fish processing plant in Kalokol.

County Executive for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries David Erukudi recently led a team of officers from the department to assess the proposed site for the construction of the plant.

The team toured Nameritaaba, Natumkumwo, Legio and Erus-a-Ilimanyang areas of Kalokol Ward that have been identified as potential areas for the establishment of the plant, which is set to transform the economic fortunes of the region.

"We have put in place a robust plan to roll out a fish processing project to boost the socio-economy of residents whose main source of livelihood is fishing. This project will economically transform the livelihoods of residents in the area whose main survival is fishing," Erukudi said.

The CEC noted that the target was to make the region a leading industrialised zone for fish processing. He however raised concern over the harvesting of under-size fish, saying it threatens the future of the sub-sector in Lake Turkana.

County Chief Officer for Livestock Development and Fisheries Lokidap Nakoel said they had settled on Kalokol owing to its strategic location, presence of electricity, water and enough land for development. Area MCA Michael Epem called on contractors to do quality work.