Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus met with the Country Director of Practical Action Susan Maina during a courtesy call in his office today for a brief of the programmes Practical Action is implementing in Turkana.
The Country Director met the Deputy Governor for the first time in Lodwar after she joined Practical Action in April last year.
She states, “we work with communities to develop ingenious, lasting and locally owned solutions for agriculture, water (WASH) and urban slums, climate resilience and clean energy which focuses on building resilience in communities in areas Practical Action is operating on.”
Ms. Maina appreciated the partnership between Practical Action and County Government especially on Water Sector among other thematic areas.
The Country Director said that all programmes in Practical Action are aligned to the Governor’s Development Agenda and the CIDP III.
On Water, she said Practical Action has ever since drilled 50 boreholes with solarised pumps in order to make water available and accessible to every household.
To enhance food security, the Country Director further said, they have done five-hectare micro-irrigation project in Nariamawoi in Kanamkemer Ward. The women and people with disability (PWD) are the main beneficiaries. The Deputy Governor later commissioned the farm, which uses drip irrigation to produce watermelon, spinach coriander and vegetables.
The Deputy Governor expressed the commitment of the County Government to work will all the partners in Turkana in realisation of the joint development across board.
“We are aware of the socio-economic development programmes by Practical Action and other partners that are transformative in nature and as government would continue to provide conducive environment so that the partners continue investing in Turkana in addressing the many challenges that are as a result of climate change among other aspects,” stated the DG
Dr. Erus challenged Practical Action to ensure there is water resources management component in their water projects to avoid water being wasted but integrated into various water supplies system so that water is channeled to other uses as well.
He also reminded them to fast track the water project in Kalokol so that residents would start enjoying safe and clean drinking water.
The Deputy Governor told the Practical Action to visit the Lodwar Referral Hospital to learn and share experience on an integrated solar water desalination system for drinking, irrigation, fish farm and waste recycling Plant he recently commissioned at the Referral Facility.
He challenged the Organization if it can opt to do such a plant at a sub-county at Ksh. 1.2 million in order to critically address challenges of water in the County.
Joel Ombok, who is the Area Coordinator for Practical Action, Turkana, also spoke during the meeting.
Also present were Tito Ochieng (Director water services), Gabriel Ipas (Assistant Director, Administration) and Edome Onesmus (Water Engineer, Practical Action).
