Turkana Basin Institute has two field stations that are located near Ileret on the east side and Nakechichok, on the west side of Lake Turkana. The Dassanech community inhabit the Illeret region while the Turkana are found in Nakechichok and on the west of the lake. The Dassanech and Turkana are pastoralists and among the most marginalized people in Kenya, having virtually no control over the changes that are impacting their lives. They derive their livelihoods mainly from natural resources-pasture, water, vegetation, livestock and some fishing. However, reduced access to these resources has increasingly placed these pastoralist communities under intense pressure. As a result, they constantly find themselves fighting for their survival.

TBI recognizes that communities around us have a wide range of needs, including education, income generation, health, environmental and cultural conservation.
In an effort to foster healthy community relations The Turkana Basin Institute works closely with the local communities through local committees at both field stations. Through these committees projects are put forward, student bursaries are awarded and volunteer teachers are paid. The Turkana Basin Institute also helps to raise support and awareness for the community and has taken on two coordinators to oversee this important aspect.

TBI's strong and valued relationships with the local communities are the foundation stones upon which our vision is based on. We believe people are the primary actors in their own survival and development so to achieve this we work in partnership with the communities and in alliance with other organizations. We respect and celebrate diversity both within the communities' we work with and within our own organization.