Tourism and Cultural Festival. County first ladies to attend the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival in Lodwar.
Lodwar, October 7, 2023
In summary:
- The Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival has been held six times, this is the seventh edition.
- In the previous editions, Uhuru Kenyatta, Margaret Kenyatta, William Ruto and a host of top politicians have been attending including Raila Odinga.
- Raila Odinga and Rigathi Gachagua are expected to attend this year’s festival.
- All county first ladies are invited publicly and their attendance announced.
- The event has promoted peaceful coexistence between Ateker communities from Kenya (Turkana and Teso), Uganda (Karamoja and Jie), South Sudan (Toposa) and the Nyangatom (Ethiopia).
More than 10 county first ladies are expected in Lodwar to grace the three-day Turkana County Tourism and Cultural Festival between October 12 and 14, 2023, at the Ekalees Center, Lodwar, in Turkana County.
The annual event, whose opening ceremony will be officiated by H.E. William Samoei Ruto, is currently in its seventh edition and has since grown from a local event to a renowned global festival with a focus on peace, trade, tourism, culture, and cross-border relations between the Ateker communities of Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Speaking during an interview with the media, Turkana First Lady Lilian Ekamais said that invitations had been extended to all the county first ladies, and about 12 have confirmed attendance, with more confirmations expected before the event commences.
According to Lilian Ekamais, the presence of fellow first ladies is expected to send a strong message about the need for peaceful coexistence and support for the promotion of culture and conservation of the environment.
This will be the first time the event has attracted attendance of County first ladies in large numbers courtesy of concerted efforts by Turkanas’ first Lady Lilian Ekamais and her active involvement in promotion of peace and respect for culture and traditions.
Other notable visitors expected to attend the event include Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, cabinet secretaries, and international delegations from East Africa, the West African Nations, and around the world.
