Turkana opens Huduma-Biashara Centre in Kakuma

The Turkana government has set up a Biashara Centre to boost access to business services.

It is located at the Kakuma-Kalobeyei refugee hosting area in Turkana West subcounty 

The centre will provide essential government and business services under one roof to Kenyans and refugees, and serve as a single point of access for county government services. 

Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai said the centre is part of the county government's commitment to foster the growth of small businesses and enable increased private investment to create jobs. 

“The new centre will make it faster, easier and cheaper to access government services, which include registering businesses, applying for permits and requesting small business loans through the Biashara and the Youth [funds] and Women Empowerment Fund," he said.

"Additionally, the centre will provide business development services among others.” 

The facility is an initiative of the Turkana government in partnership with International Finance Corporation's Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund and UNHCR.

It was also supported by the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands, the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development through KfW.

Lomorukai said the establishment of the new Kakuma municipality will create a conducive environment for business and investment, leading to the creation of jobs for the host community and refugees.

He called for collaborative partnerships with development partners.

Lomorukai said he intends to review the MoUs of all partner organisations to enforce the 70 per cent local employment requirement. 

He urged partners to focus on recovery programmes that will rebuild livelihoods in the aftermath of the devastating drought.

Lomorukai said there's need for resilience-focused programmes that promote food security and reduce reliance on relief food. 

He also urged partners to support cross-border peace initiatives to boost trade with neighbouring countries, especially Uganda and South Sudan.

Turkana West MP Daniel Epuyo thanked the county government for conferring municipality status on Kakuma.

“The idea of hosting refugees in Kakuma has opened many opportunities, including job opportunities, business, contracts and tenders. Let's use the opportunities around us and learn to appreciate the opportunities,” he said.

His Turkana Central counterpart Emathe Namuar said once operational, the facility will be the first Huduma/Biashara Centre in Kenya.

Maarten Brouwer, Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, said the Biashara Centre represents the building of bridges between the host community and refugees by generating opportunities and building more economic activities.

“I envision the centre unlocking enterprise opportunities as it has brought the national and county services under one roof and closer to the people,” he said.

EU Head of Cooperation Irene Giribaldi said the centre will empower the host community and refugees to be self-sufficient with sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurship by fostering new business opportunities. 

IFC country manager for Kenya Amena Arif said the centre will bring services closer to the people of Turkana West and reiterated the organisation’s commitment to unlocking the region's business potential.

Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya