Turkana County is set to become home to a world-class disaster response hub, thanks to a new partnership between the County Government and the Kenya Red Cross Society. The upcoming center will not only strengthen emergency preparedness in Turkana but also serve as a vital resource for neighboring countries, including Uganda and South Sudan.
The decision to establish the hub was reached during a high-level meeting between the Turkana County leadership and a delegation from the Kenya Red Cross. The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility is scheduled to take place later this year on a ten-acre parcel of land donated by the County Government.
Speaking during the meeting, Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus emphasized the strategic importance of locating the hub in Turkana. “Turkana has experienced a long history of recurrent disasters such as droughts, floods, and conflict-related emergencies,” he said. “Establishing a disaster response hub here will not only improve emergency preparedness and response but will also provide vital information for disaster-related decision-making and programming.”
Dr. Erus also acknowledged that the increasing severity and frequency of disasters, largely driven by climate change, have highlighted the urgent need for enhanced coordination and infrastructure to manage such events effectively.
Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross in charge of programs, Joe Mbalu, noted that the Turkana hub will be the eleventh in a network of disaster response centers established across the country. “What sets this hub apart is its design,” said Mbalu. “It will be tailored to serve all regions of Turkana, including the most remote and hard-to-reach areas. Its international scope will also ensure quicker disaster response in neighboring countries like Uganda and South Sudan.”
Once operational, the hub will house emergency supplies, provide logistics support, and serve as a training and coordination center for disaster response efforts. It is expected to significantly reduce the response time during emergencies, saving lives and minimizing damage.
This development marks a major step forward in regional disaster preparedness and affirms Turkana’s critical role in fostering cross-border resilience and humanitarian coordination in East Africa.
