01 · Conservation
Natural resource conservation
Biodiversity surveys, aerial bird counts, vulture monitoring and daily wildlife patrols by 24 community Field Monitors. We are now tackling the invasive Prosopis tree.
Suguta Valley · Turkana County, Kenya
Empowering communities. Promoting peace. Protecting ecosystems.
ISVD is a community-based organisation that represents the pastoralist and agro-pastoralist Turkana communities of the Suguta Valley. We work for rural development, peace and conservation, with a focus on vulnerable and marginalised people.
Registered CBO · Reg. No. DSD/23/128/02/236028 · First registered 2 May 2023
6community units across the valley
8,420people served by new water projects
377students supported with bursaries, 2023–2025
737,243Lesser Flamingos counted at Lake Logipi
149bird species recorded in the first survey in 50 years
59staff working across the valley
Who we are
A community-led organisation for the Suguta Valley
The Initiative for Suguta Valley Development (ISVD) was registered on 2 May 2023. We serve six community units across Turkana East and Suguta Sub-Counties, and the cross-border Suguta corridor. Our offices are in Kamuge and Lodwar.
Our mandate is to promote rural development, peace and environmental conservation. We bring communities, county and national government, and technical partners together so that development is planned and owned by the people who live in the valley.
Our vision
A peaceful and empowered Suguta Valley community thriving through sustainable development and conservation.
Our mission
To mobilise resources and implement community-driven programmes that promote peace, inclusive governance, sustainable livelihoods and conservation.
Achau Suguta kotere akwap yok.“It is now shining in Suguta, our ancestral land.” Silvester Aboto, ISVD Unit Coordinator
Our six community units
- Kapedo / LomeloTurkana East
- Kamuge / NgilukiaHome of the ISVD community office
- Elelea / LotubaeTurkana East
- Kakiteitei / NapeitomTurkana East
- ParkatiSuguta Sub-County
- LochotomMarti, Kawap and Nachola (Samburu County)
Our work
Six thematic areas
We build resilient communities through joined-up programmes. Each area supports the others: water and schools reduce conflict, and peace makes conservation and tourism possible.
02 · Peace
Peace and stability
Dialogue between Turkana, Pokot and Samburu communities through elders’ meetings, peace sports tournaments, cultural festivals and peace ambassadors.
03 · Governance
Good governance and inclusive participation
Unit Committees are elected at public barazas. Communities set priorities, approve projects and agree how benefits are shared.
04 · Education
Education
Secondary and tertiary bursaries chosen by community leaders and approved in public meetings. We also support schools to reopen after conflict.
05 · Livelihoods
Resilience and livelihoods
Local jobs, kitchen gardens fed by new water points, and a tourism revenue-sharing plan so that communities earn from visitors to the valley.
06 · WASH
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Boreholes, solar pumps, storage tanks and a reverse osmosis plant, managed by trained community Water Management Committees.
2025 results
What changed in 2025
Highlights from our 2025 Annual Report. All activities were delivered with Rift Valley Conservation, the County Government of Turkana and other partners.
Safe water for more villages
Before our partnership with RVC, only 1 of 6 villages in the valley had a safe, reliable water source. In Parkati, the new borehole has already made a clear difference.
93%report less waterborne disease
84%of homes within 10 minutes of safe water
| Location | Project | People |
|---|---|---|
| Lomelo | Solar-powered reverse osmosis plant | 3,147 |
| Parkati | Borehole, solar pump and water kiosk | 2,673 |
| Kamuge | County Government borehole | 1,500 |
| Kakiteitei | 50,000-litre masonry tank | 1,100 |
| Total | 8,420 | |
Wildlife of global importance
The first biodiversity surveys in 50 years, with WRTI and the National Museums of Kenya, show that the Suguta Valley matters far beyond Kenya.
737,243Lesser Flamingos, about 30% of the world population
27,790Great White Pelicans
80+Critically Endangered Rüppell’s Vultures breeding at Nataruk Cliffs
161invertebrate species, 3 possibly new to science
Field Monitors also recorded elephants in Parkati for the first time in 8 years, as well as wild dogs, cheetah and Beisa oryx.
Kapedo Girls Primary School reopened
After about 10 years of closure because of ethnic violence, the school reopened in February 2025. Pokot families enrolled their children for the first time, and ISVD supported water piping to the school.
191bursaries awarded in 2025
63to female students
| Unit | Secondary | Tertiary | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkati | 38 | 26 | 64 |
| Lochotom | 47 | 15 | 62 |
| Elelea / Lotubae | 22 | 13 | 35 |
| Kapedo / Lomelo | – | 10 | 10 |
| Kamuge / Ngilukia | – | 10 | 10 |
| Kakiteitei / Napeitom | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| All units | 107 | 84 | 191 |
Building trust between communities
In January 2025, Pokot elders voluntarily returned livestock at Kapedo, a landmark moment for peace. The Tobong Nawi Cultural Heritage Festival, the 2nd Archery Competition for Peace in Kapedo and the Parkati–Tuum sport-for-peace event brought Turkana, Pokot and Samburu people together.
In May 2025 the area MP officially opened our solar-powered Kamuge Community Office, which now coordinates all field work by VHF radio.
Looking ahead
Our priorities for 2026
Water
Complete the Ngilukia connection, upgrade water distribution in Parkati and strengthen Water Management Committees in all units.
Tourism revenue
Agree a revenue-sharing plan with tour operators and county partners so communities earn from tourism.
Governance
Adopt a new Board Charter, hold Board and Unit Committee elections and add ex-officio members to the Board.
Capacity
Mentor Unit Coordinators, train Unit Committees and the Board, and recruit Field Monitors, peace ambassadors and coordinators.
Conservation
Pilot ways to control invasive Prosopis juliflora and continue wildlife monitoring with SMART.
Peace and education
Work more with Pokot and Samburu communities, hold peace events twice a year and run the 2026 bursary programme.
Governance
Accountable to the community
Our structure keeps decisions close to the people. Communities elect their leaders, and the Board holds management to account.
How ISVD is organised
- 1Community AssemblyAll community members. Elects Unit Committees and sets priorities for land, benefit sharing and infrastructure.
- 2Six Unit Committees48 elected members plus chiefs and ward administrators. Elected at public barazas for 3 years.
- 3Board of ManagementUnit chairpersons plus expert and ex-officio members. Provides oversight and leads donor and county engagement.
- 4Director and SecretariatRuns programmes and partnerships, supported by finance, HR and administration.
- 5Unit Coordinators and Field MonitorsDeliver and monitor work in each unit.
Board and management
- Peter EripeteBoard Chairperson
- Danfestus ErotVice Chairperson
- Jane EdeteTreasurer
- Wilson LokurukaBoard Member
- Stephen LototoBoard Member
- Henry LomeloBoard Member
- Pachol LokidongoiBoard Member
- Stanley Loter EkaaleDirector
The Board also includes an ex-officio member from the Kenya Wildlife Service, a representative of the County Government of Turkana (Natural Resources) and a professional member.
Our team
ISVD has 59 staff working across the six community units and our offices.
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Director | 1 |
| ISVD Administrator | 1 |
| Finance Officer | 1 |
| Unit Coordinators | 5 |
| Field Monitors | 24 |
| Hydro Monitors | 4 |
| Peace Ambassadors | 12 |
| Security | 2 |
| Radio Operators | 2 |
| Water Technicians | 6 |
| Cleaner | 1 |
| Total staff | 59 |
Partners
Working together
We signed a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding with the County Government of Turkana in September 2024, and we sit on the County NRM Technical Working Group and County Steering Group.
Government
- County Government of Turkana
- Samburu County Government
- National Government
- Kenya Valley Development Authority (KVDA)
- Water Resources Authority
Conservation and development
- Rift Valley Conservation (RVC)
- Conserve Global
- Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
Science
- Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI)
- National Museums of Kenya (NMK)
Peace and capacity
- Interpeace
- Diocese of Lodwar
- National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC)
- New Frontier Institute
- Ruko Community Conservancy
Documents
Download our flyer
Our flyer gives a short overview of who we are, what we do and what we have achieved. For other records, such as our annual report, constitution or registration certificate, please contact us.
Organisational policies
These policies guide how we work. Copies are available on request.
- Board Policy (2025)
- Code of Conduct (2025)
- Finance Policy (2025)
- Procurement Policy
- PSEA and Safeguarding Policy
- Data Security, Inclusion and E&S Policy
Contact us
Talk to us
We welcome partners, donors, researchers and visitors who share our vision for the Suguta Valley.
- Phone
- +254 726 346 044
+254 795 870 526 - Offices
- Kamuge Community Office, Turkana East
Lodwar Office, Turkana County - Postal address
- P.O. Box 1 – 30500, Kenya