Discontent over venue threatens to mar Turkana cultural festival
Turkana North MP Christopher Nakuleu. He has expressed concern about the venue of the Turkana cultural festival and the amount of money used for its preparation. FILE PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Turkana North MP Christopher Nakuleau on Tuesday expressed concerns about the venue of the festival.
- He also raised concerns over the amount of money used for its preparation.
- The cultural event is aimed at promoting peace among pastoralists.
- Unconfirmed reports indicated that the venue was shifted to a primary school in Lodwar Town.
The Turkana Cultural Festival could be off to a rocky start today after some local leaders threatened to boycott it.
One of them, Turkana North MP Christopher Nakuleau on Tuesday expressed concern about the venue of the festival and the amount of money used for its preparation.
“We want to have a permanent site to host the festival and (to be told) the amount of money the county government has allocated towards it for this year,” said Mr Nakuleau.
The cultural event is aimed at promoting peace among pastoralists.
Eliyee Springs and Nawatorong’ are among the sites proposed for the fete, which has attracted participants from Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
VENUE SHIFTED
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the venue was shifted to a primary school in Lodwar Town.
“Apart from being a tourism attraction, the cultural festival will act as a unifying factor among pastoralists,” Mr Nakuleau said and demanded transparency.
The annual celebration was adopted to help Turkana and Pokot pastoralists to use cultural exchanges and folk media to reduce armed conflicts.
Meanwhile, pastoralists from West Pokot and Turkana counties yesterday met at the common border, shared meals and performed dances to promote reconciliation.
