Eldoret, May 16, 2024
The Water Services Department led by the County Executive, Patrick Losike, facilitated the three-day induction of the newly appointed Board of Directors for the Turkana Urban and Rural Water Boards.
The induction was to help them with the operations and management of water companies.
This follows the recent appointment of 10 directors for both Urban and Rural Water Companies, a ceremony that was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr John Erus. The companies will in the future, take over the management of the current Lodwar Water Services and Sanitation Company (LOWASCO).
The Turkana Urban Board, chaired by Philip Aemun Ebei, includes Directors Christopher Aletia Imana, Margaret Kuchal, Francis Elim Ngikito, and John Ekaale Aruma. The Rural Board, chaired by Paul Erot Merinyang’, comprises Akolong Godfrey Ikone, Shadrak Esinyen Lopeyok, Elizabeth Ngikala Andrew, and Hashim Kerio Lokalei.
Alongside the induction, the team developed a comprehensive 14-point strategic plan that will be keen to start the operations of the water utility in Turkana.
The initial step involves holding a Special General Meeting (SGM), a necessary legal step to pass resolutions, which will be filed with the Registrar of Companies and the subsequent entry of Directors’ names into the Business Registration Service (BRS) platform. This will pave the way for the publication of the names in the Kenya Gazette.
Crafted with guidance from the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB), UNICEF, USAID STAWI, and USAID LMS, the County Executive said the plan was a work in progress emphasizing that continued consultations with relevant authorities would continue as the need may arise.
He highlighted the plan includes developing a five-year strategic plan, recruiting key management staff like Managing Directors, as well as establishing essential policies for operating the water utilities.
“My confidence is in the ability of Directors to deliver due to their distinguished careers, experience, and integrity. This plan shows their commitment to addressing water access gaps in Turkana,” said CECM Losike.
The Water Executive mentioned that the plan also includes a baseline customer satisfaction survey, stakeholder mapping, public sensitization, and a grand unveiling by Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai among other action points to be executed over the next three three-month period.
The plan was presented at the induction training, attended by Deputy County Secretary Dr. Locham Gamoe, Chief Officer for Water Services, Simon Etom, County Solicitor, Ruth Emanikor, Director for Water Services, Paul Lotum, LOWASCOs’ MD Esther Lokitoe and water services officer Tito Ochieng.
The unveiling of the plan was witnessed by the Director of Monitoring and Enforcement at (WASREB) Richard Cheruiyot, Samburu and West Pokot water company directors, and the Turkana Water Fund Board Chair Emily Ariong.
