Turkana County, Kenya – PEN Kenya has successfully concluded a transformative three-year initiative aimed at strengthening capacity and promoting an enabling environment for civil society organizations (CSOs) in Turkana County. Under the stewardship of the Turkana CSO Taskforce, the project focused on building the capacity of local CSOs and establishing CSOs- county government collaboration to address operational gaps and engage more effectively in governance and policy advocacy.
Recognizing the fragmentation and lack of a unified platform for civic action, PEN Kenya took the lead in establishing the Turkana CSO Taskforce to guide the formation of a robust Turkana CSO network. Through collaborative efforts with member organizations, a series of consultative meetings were held to develop foundational documents including a constitution, a self-regulation framework, and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for CSO cooperation.
A key milestone was achieved during a review meeting convened by PEN Kenya, where feedback from CSO members was incorporated into the final versions of the documents. This culminated in the official launch of the Turkana Civil Society Network towards the end of 2025. During the launch, network members and officials signed the constitution and self-regulation framework, marking a new era of coordinated civic engagement and governance processes in the county.
The network’s leadership welcomed the County Director of Peace, who pledged support in formalizing a working relationship between the network and the Turkana County Government. This collaboration is expected to enhance policy dialogue, stakeholder participation, and spur service delivery across the county.
Similar drives had been initiated in other counties of Kwale, Kilifi, and Kitui to strengthen the capacity of the county CSO networks through the review and development of self-regulation frameworks.
“With the establishment of the Turkana Civil Society Network, CSOs now have a united platform to engage harmoniously with the county government-not only on policy matters but also on broader development concerns,” said TCN Official “This is a significant step that will foster collaboration between the CSO Network and county government of Turkana and promote inclusive governance for a better Turkana.”
PEN Kenya remains committed to supporting civic spaces and fostering partnerships that promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable development.
