How Turkana Miners Are Digging Their Way to Economic Freedom

By Turkana Correspondent
For the artisanal miners of Turkana North, life has long been a hard, solitary grind. Beneath the scorching sun, they dig for gold, their work essential but often unrewarded. Now, for the first time, they’ve come together to rewrite their story, forming Jatann Cooperative Society Limited – the first SACCO of its kind in the region.
This bold step toward collective empowerment was cemented when the miners received their official registration certificate during a milestone ceremony officiated by County Executive for Trade, Enterprise Development, and Cooperative Management, Roseline Aite. For many in attendance, it wasn’t just a certificate – it was a symbol of hope and the promise of a brighter future.
Jatann Cooperative joins Turkana’s growing cooperative movement, with over 65 SACCOs launched across various sectors in recent years. For the miners, the SACCO represents a turning point: access to financial services, collective bargaining power, and the chance to transform their industry into a reliable source of wealth for their families and communities.
The cooperative wasted no time getting to work. During its inaugural general meeting, members charted their future, approving the 2025 budget, appointing leadership, and forming a four-member supervisory committee to ensure transparency and accountability.
Speaking to the miners, CECM Roseline Aite congratulated them on their milestone, encouraging them to build on this foundation with strong leadership and unity.
"Today marks the beginning of a new journey. You now have the tools to organize, recruit members, and turn this cooperative into a force for change. But your success will depend on working together and holding each other accountable," she said.
Director of Cooperatives and Marketing, Shemmy Ebulon, echoed the sentiment, promising the county’s full support to help Jatann grow.
“Our goal is to ensure SACCOs like yours thrive,” Ebulon said. “We’ll provide technical guidance, help you expand your membership, and support your efforts to meet legal and financial standards. You can become a model for cooperatives in the mining sector."
Beyond its technical support, the SACCO represents something more profound: a new sense of unity and purpose among Turkana’s miners. For years, they’ve toiled individually, vulnerable to market forces and lacking bargaining power. Now, with Jatann Cooperative, they stand together, ready to leverage their shared strength.
“Our hope is that this SACCO will unlock opportunities in the gold trade, improve market access, and give miners the stability they deserve,” added Ebulon.
The launch event, witnessed by local cooperative officers James Akorot, Judy Ekitela, and Ekipor Sofari, was a moment of pride for the miners of Lolupe and beyond. For them, Jatann isn’t just a cooperative – it’s a new chapter in their story, one where they control their future and prosperity.