Rough and patched terrain in Northern Kenya that for a long time subjected residents here to isolation, without any infrastructural investment, or investment of any kind, life has been tough and Catherine Achuka, a teacher for the last two years here, knows that all too well.
“I came here in 2015 and I found the pupils were studying under these trees. The teachers would carry portable blackboards or even cardboard boxes to teach the pupils.” Said Catherine Achuka, teacher at lokicheda primary school
The school was started in 2011 by local authorities with only one permanent structure and few plans to expand it soon…
Until oil was discovered here in 2012 introducing a rumble of heavy and expensive equipment, and with it a new lease of life. Investors and property speculators took new interest in the place, and the people.
Lokicheda primary school was among the first beneficiaries with this stream of classes being built under Tullow’s Corporate Social Responsibility program.
“We want our operations to be successful we have invested in water and education and health facilities that would be handed back to the communities. “Said Dennis Okore spokesperson, Tullow oil
Lokicheda and the larger Turkana area is home to nomadic communities.
Many children don’t go to school especially during times of drought, as their parents prefer that they seek pasture for the family’s livestock. Schools being few and far between offer little incentive for education also…
For Catherine, providing proper school facilities goes a long way in keeping these little ones in class.
Following the oil fortunes, Lokichar is slowly opening up. And as much as it still has a long way to go in terms of development and economic opportunities, local business owners like Joyce Lomulei can feel the difference as they can now boast a little extra money in their pockets…
“I have been selling vegetables for three years now…I used to sell snacks….last year Tullow oil took some of us for training, to learn how to run a business properly and make profit.” Said Joyce lomulei, Business owner
The single mother of five says she has seen the benefits of the two-month training course
“I used to put aside 100 shillings from my earning every day, at least to pay for fees for my two children who are still in school, now with the knowledge I have I put aside about 300 shillings.” Said Joyce lomulei, Business owner
While the benefits, we are told, can only be felt by a few people here there is hope that once the country goes to full field crude oil production a lot more locals will benefit from the development that comes along with it
