In the expansive landscapes surrounding Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP), traditional pastoralist communities coexist with cutting-edge renewable energy technology. It is here that Job Lengoiyap serves as the bridge between these two worlds. His work ensures that Africa’s largest wind power project goes beyond generating clean energy to creating sustainable, positive change for the communities.
Lengoiyap is LTWP’s Community Liaison Manager. He was born and raised in Mount Kulal, adjacent to the wind farm. His upbringing provided him with an invaluable understanding of local culture, traditions, language and the geographical landscape that shapes daily life in northern Kenya. “This is not just where I come from. It is the community I intimately understand and identify with,” Lengoiyap explains.
Lengoiyap studied at Gatab Primary School before transferring to Karare Primary School for his final years. He later attended AIC Churo High School, a Christian-based institution that “reinforced values of service, discipline, and leadership.”
His pursuit of knowledge didn’t stop there. He went on to acquire a Certificate in Business Management from the Kenya Institute of Management, a Diploma in Business Management and Human Resources from Maasai Mara University, and later attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Leadership from the Management University of Africa – a program partly funded by LTWP. This academic progression equipped him with the strategic thinking and problem-solving skills essential for his current role.
Working with communities
Lengoiyap’s first job was with Food for the Hungry, a Christian humanitarian aid and global development organisation. Here, he got first-hand experience in grassroots engagement and working with vulnerable communities in Marsabit County. He was later promoted to a Supervisor for food relief distribution across Laisamis constituency during drought recovery operations.
Joining LTWP in 2014 as a Human Resource Officer, his understanding of both the company’s operations and the local community saw him promoted to Senior Community Liaison Officer in June 2017, and subsequently to Community Liaison Manager in March 2019 – a position he has served to date.
Lengoiyap leads a team of 26 and oversees all aspects of community relations, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of LTWP’s community development program. “My primary focus is to ensure open, respectful, and constructive communication between the company and the local communities,” he says.
Through LTWP’s Winds of Change NGO, Lengoiyap and his team implement projects in health, education, and water as well as support miscellaneous community development activities around LTWP’s area of operations. This includes sinking boreholes for clean water, supporting schools with new classrooms and administration blocks, and bringing essential health services closer to communities.
By working with the local communities and identifying their needs, boreholes and wells have been sunk in areas that had limited access to clean water, which has significantly improved public health and reduced the burden on women and children who previously spent hours fetching water. Healthcare facilities have beenbuilt, equipped and upgraded, and the team has partnered with stakeholders to provide targeted outreach programs as well as to build the capacity of medical practitioners
“I wish more people understood that renewable energy projects like LTWP do more than generate electricity. They create lasting social and economic transformation in the communities where they operate,” Lengoiyap says, adding that bridging the gap between a large-scale industrial project and local community expectations requires “clear, consistent communication and a lot of listening.”
Managing expectations
Managing community expectations is an ongoing challenge for Lengoiyap and his team, especially because the region is vast, the needs are high and the residents face a wide range challenges – some that have not been addressed by the local and national governments.
Lengoiyap says his approach involves being transparent, ensuring continuous dialogue, and managing expectations with honesty and consistency. He uses the local dialect to translate technical information about the wind farm into relatable terms while engaging communities as partners in development rather than passive beneficiaries.
Outside of work, Lengoiyap remains deeply connected to his pastoralist heritage. He manages herds of cattle, sheep, goats, and camels – a practice that keeps him grounded and connected to the traditional way of life. When he is off duty, he attends community barazas (public meetings) and local gatherings.
“It is during these moments, while discussing livestock, land, or daily life, that I gain deeper insights into community needs, concerns, and values,” he shares. This lifestyle helps him bridge his professional role with an understanding of the people LTWP serves.
Looking ahead, Lengoiyap aims to enhance peace-building efforts through inter-community peace forums, which are vital for fostering dialogue and long-term coexistence among different groups in the region. Additionally, he looks forward to implementing LTWP’s pilot scholarship fund to support the most vulnerable students in Laisamis constituency.
Lengoiyap’s story, from a local boy in Mount Kulal to LTWP’s Community Liaison Manager, exemplifies the power of investing in local talent and maintaining authentic community connections. In Lengoiyap’s own words: “It is deeply fulfilling to work in a role that brings real, lasting change to a place I call home,” he concludes.
