Lake Turkana — the world’s largest desert lake and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is a lifeline for northern Kenya, underpinning fisheries, livelihoods, and ecosystems. During the International Water, Peace and Security Conference session Tides of Peace: Unlocking the Potential of Lake Turkana for Climate Resilience and Stability, experts explored entrepreneurship, technology, food and water security and the role of science in decision-making to assess the region’s opportunities and challenges.
Moderator Daniel Kangogo of the World Food Programme (WFP) described the organization’s collaboration with the county governments of Turkana and Marsabit, UNESCO, International Alert, and private-sector partners. Their shared goal is to ensure that Lake Turkana — a transboundary resource between Kenya and Ethiopia — becomes a foundation for peace and climate-resilient economic growth. The programme focuses on strengthening livelihoods through a systems approach centred on the lake and its fish value chain.
County leadership expressed hope that Lake Turkana can become a model of collective action, uniting government, development partners, the private sector, civil society, youth, and women to create lasting impact.
Representing the Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy and Fisheries, Charles Ondu highlighted major challenges, including water scarcity, climate pressures and unsustainable resource use. He outlined a three-part call to action: to integrate strategies across sectors; amplify local leadership by giving communities real decision-making power; and advance bold partnerships that bring together data-driven solutions, clean energy, climate-smart agriculture and conflict early-warning systems. He urged stakeholders to transform the “tides of peace” into tides of shared opportunity.
Climate security
Presenting his climate-security research, independent consultant Achiba Gargule showed that droughts now strike every five years, each time pushing more people into acute food insecurity. While climate change intensifies vulnerabilities particularly among women — rising lake levels cause flooding and displacement and heighten conflict risks. Weak governance often allows disputes to escalate, underscoring the need for coordinated, inclusive and informed action.
Opening the panel discussion, Mercy Juma of the World Food Programme (WFP) emphasized that local enterprises, especially those led by youth and women, can drive both economic and social returns. Daniela Nairita of Indigenous Women in Blue Economy described the barriers facing women and youth in business and highlighted the farmer service centre model in Marsabit, which provides real-time solutions.
Building on these insights, Claudia Ah Poe of WFP outlined the fisher service centre model, adapted from agriculture to fisheries. These centres support fisherfolk through digital marketing, input supply and knowledge sharing. She noted persistent challenges, such as high temperatures, salinity and inadequate infrastructure, contribute to 30–35% fish loss. To reduce waste, WFP is introducing mobile floating landing sites, ice-making facilities, and fish-processing technologies.
Digital app to locate market for fish
Technology also plays a growing role in connecting the fish value chain. Brizan Were of Learning Lions showcased the Lake Turkana Connect app, which links fishermen directly with buyers and hotels, even for users with limited literacy or smartphone access. The app bridges the gap between abundant fish supplies and unmet local demand, helping reduce post-harvest losses and support sustainable livelihoods.
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the need to invest in social cohesion. Emmy Auma, Regional Director of International Alert, stressed that development and peace outcomes depend on investing in people and relationships as much as in infrastructure. Panellists agreed that solutions must blend social, environmental, and technological innovations, prioritizing youth and women, locally adaptable technologies and integrated action.
UNESCO’s Christian Beretta closed the session by emphasizing his organization’s role in resource knowledge management under the Lake Turkana programme. Understanding the lake’s transboundary ecosystem between Kenya and Ethiopia is essential for guiding investments and protecting biodiversity. UNESCO supports water-quality assessments, fish productivity modelling, resource monitoring and vulnerability surveys. Recent findings show persistent food and water insecurity, particularly affecting women and girls, reinforcing the need for evidence-based management.
Key lessons for stakeholders include:
- Empowering local entrepreneurs: Youth and women-led enterprises are central to innovation and economic diversification.
- Leveraging technology: Digital tools and improved infrastructure reduce waste, strengthen markets and support sustainability.
- Investing in people and relationships: Social cohesion is vital for long-term peace and development.
- Using scientific evidence: Data-driven decision-making is crucial for managing water, fisheries and ecosystems.
- Adopting integrated approaches: Effective solutions must address food and water security, climate resilience, environmental protection and social equity.
The session demonstrated that Lake Turkana offers a unique opportunity to combine entrepreneurship, technology, science and social investment. By investing in people and understanding the lake’s shifting ecosystem, stakeholders have a real opportunity to transform Lake Turkana into a beacon of resilience and shared prosperity.