About TDT
Who we are
The Turkana Development Trust (TDT) is a local development organization (LDO) registered as a charitable trust and established to foster local development in Turkana County. It aims to harness and promote synergies among local development actors, including the civil society groups (such as faith-based organizations [FBOs], nongovernmental organizations [NGOs], and community-based organizations [CBOs]); the private sector; the national government; the county government of Turkana; development partners; international NGOs operating in the county; and private individuals.
The TDT builds on the understanding that sustainable solutions to local development challenges are possible when communities, through local development actors, identify their challenges and resources, set their agenda, and work together on solutions. Also, the Trust recognizes that addressing development challenges sustainably requires that local development actors set agendas and make decisions. Local communities, individual actors, and local organizations must be empowered to take charge of their aspirations. Community empowerment is central to TDT.
To empower local communities and build their potential for resilience, TDT has developed the Strategic Plan, 2022-2026 that is built on the vision of: Empowered and resilient communities that can influence and engage in county development.
The strategic plan builds on the understanding that weak governance is the main barrier to improving the well-being of people in Turkana. Weak governance is the root cause of challenges that contribute to insecurity and underdevelopment of the county. Weak governance and poor leadership constrain the improvement of education standards and infrastructure for development. Eliminating these conditions will lead to an empowered, prosperous, and dignified community.
Vision
Empowered and resilient communities able to influence and engage in development matters in the county
Mission
To enhance synergies amongst civil society organizations, private sector and faith-based organizations and government in addressing socio-economic needs in the county by influencing governance and development decisions
What we do
Our strategic plan aims to build a foundation for an empowered, prosperous and a dignified community. The plan seeks to tackle the root causes of underdevelopment—specifically, the challenges of insecurity, poor governance, low literacy levels, poverty, and the lack of basic
development infrastructure.
In discussions with community members throughout Turkana, communities expressed the desire to establish conditions for sustainable development. They are keen to develop communities that are healthy, well educated, and dignified. The communities want to see a society that is secure and one where people are proud of their identity. This was well articulated by those who pointed out that “it is not a good thing to depend on others … receiving aid all the time reduces your sense of being; you do not feel dignified.”
People in Turkana want an environment that enables everyone to thrive in their economic and social activities. This goal aligns with the vision of the Trust. The Figure summarizes these viewpoints 👉👉
This strategic plan was developed to respond to the diverse challenges that constrain efforts to improve the well-being of people in Turkana County. The factors that will contribute to this include:
• Affordable access to basic needs, access to quality health services, improved access to education and water services/connectivity.
• Reduction of poverty and enhanced literacy to at least 80 percent
• Modern infrastructure – roads and electricity connectivity
• Capacity-building for resilience in local communities to mitigate climate change challenge
• Economic stability – self-reliance in sectors, like livestock, fisheries, and mining
• Corruption-free county and country
• Food security
• Developed urban centers with proper waste management and sewerage; low crime rates
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