The proposed construction of eco lodges in Turkana County has stalled seven years since its proposal. Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok had approved the construction of Sh 140million for the project which was to automatically improve our standards of living through opportunities such as jobs and new income-generating activities like transporting tourists.
The project sits on a 50-acre tract donated by the community the eco lodges were to be situated in Lokitoe Ang’aberu village and the other in Kataboi Centre. Upon completion they were to supplement Eliye Spring Resort and other beach hotels on the shores known to host tourists.
The project has stalled midway leaving some of the buildings developing cracks with pieces of stained plastic ceiling boards falling. A signpost off the Kalokol-Todonyang road that welcomes visitors indicates that Kacheilap General Contractor Ltd started work on October 10, 2014 and was to complete it by April 30, 2015. Sewer pipes have been vandalized, and some structures have sections yet to be roofed.
Other stalled projects
About 235km from Kataboi Centre, near the South Turkana National Reserve, is another stalled Sh70 million eco lodge whose construction also kicked off in 2014. The eco lodge at Kainuk had been designed to have a reception, 40 rooms, a swimming pool, security houses, a car park and a perimeter fence. It was expected to provide accommodation for tourists visiting South Turkana National Reserve, home to elephants, baboons, dikdiks and gazelles
The structure is located near the lake. Besides rooms, the facility was also designed to have a conference hall and a presidential suite. Bandit attacks forced the contractor to flee the site after police reservists were killed by assailants and materials vandalized.
