Lodwar, 6th June 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The County Departments of Water Services and, Health and Sanitation held its first forum with Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) actors to tackle pressing challenges in water service delivery in Turkana County.

The meeting, dubbed as County WASH forum, was also attended by members of the newly appointed Board of Directors of the Urban and Rural Water Companies.

Speaking during the meeting, Chief Officer for Water Services, Simon Etom, stressed the need for baseline data of the county water infrastructure and sector players for decision making.

The chief officer added that the available data was incomplete and largely unavailable by actors in the sector.

Chair of the Turkana Urban Water Board, Philip Aemun, used the platform to share the plan to full operationalization of the two water supply companies beginning with company licensing.

He stressed the importance of establishing tariffs, financial policies, procurement reports, and a comprehensive five-year strategic business plan to ensure the smooth functioning of these companies.

“There is need for partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders to enhance operations. Mentorship programs for learning and more on capacity building for the board members and benchmarking other high-performing utility companies,” Aemun emphasized.

During the forum flood disaster response, increase in water coverage, water quality, formation of a coordination mechanism and implementation of the County Water Act of 2019 were discussed.

The meeting was attended and addressed by representatives from Kenya Red Cross, USAID STAWI, UNICEF Kenya, Plan International, Team and Team International, Water Mission, Concern worldwide, WHH Kenya, Peace Wind Japan, UNHCR, IsraAid, Diocese of Lodwar and Water Resource Authority.

The meeting was co-hosted by Director of Water Services, Paul Lotum and Director for Preventive and Promotive Health, Alfred Emanman.