The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) paid courtesy visits to the Turkana County Government and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Turkana County Office to introduce its Lodwar Inter-County Regional Office. 

The office serves Turkana and the wider Ateker and North Rift region. At the county government, the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Enterprise Development, Cooperatives, Gender and Youth Affairs, Hon. James Wangiros, welcomed the new office and committed to partnering with the Commission in promoting equality and inclusion and protecting the rights of Special Interest Groups, including women, youth, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and minority and marginalised communities, through policy development, legislative reviews and targeted interventions.

ELECTORAL GOVERNANCE

 The engagement with the Deputy Director of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in Turkana County, Mr. Godfrey Engor, focused on electoral governance, voter and civic education, and strengthening the participation of Special Interest Groups in electoral processes. Both institutions noted that sustained collaboration will be important for ensuring that Special Interest Groups participate fully and meaningfully in democratic processes.

The meetings also provided an opportunity to discuss the Commission’s forthcoming mission to Turkana County, which will bring together stakeholders to assess equality and inclusion, identify emerging concerns affecting Special Interest Groups and strengthen coordination.