Residents of Turkana can now access water after the eight new boreholes have been drilled and equipped following a partnership between the County Government, the North Rift Valley SDA branch, and Maranatha Volunteers International.
Of the eight boreholes, six are fully functional, while the other two in Mala and Koono in Turkwel Ward were saline and dry respectively.
However, Kakuma, Eliye, Kasuroi, Katilu, Turkwel, and Lokwii were successful and fully equipped with hand pumps.
The project which costs Sh 80M is expected to benefit up to 30,000 people and 60,000 livestock units at different locations across the County.
In her remarks, the Director of SDA Churches in East and West Kenya Region, Sister Anuprova Rema, said the project included a survey, drilling, water quality tests, equipping, and designs.
She added the partnership would later consider providing sponsorship programs to bright but needy students joining secondary schools and Universities.
Chief Officer for Water Services, David Maraka disclosed that the county would now focus on building the capacity of the water management committees to ensure sustainable use of water for all.
He added that plans were already underway to restructure management of water supply, to Urban and Rural Water Companies.
Chief Maraka underscored the Department’s commitment to addressing the challenge of water access, as envisioned by the County Government’s Administration.
The Turkwell Ward MCA Steven Edukon, who is also the Leader of the Majority in the County Assembly, lauded the intervention by the Maranatha Volunteers through the SDA Church and said they had demonstrated their love for the Turkana community by addressing a challenge of water access.
Hon Edukon promised to support discussions aimed at availing land for the construction of SDA Church regional headquarters in Turkana.
On his part, the Director of Water Services Paul Lotum, confirmed that the Water Department had deployed staff to the Sub-county level, to timely respond to operations and maintenance works.
In attendance were other Members of the County Assembly, Water Committee Members, Anderson Kosgey (head of the drilling section), and Loima Sub-county Water Officer.
