Lokori – 9th December 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
For residents of Lotubea village in Turkana East Sub-county, the borehole rehabilitation ended their over one year of consuming unsafe water from the nearby riverbed.
Area Chief Philip Ekuwam reflected on the previous struggles with contaminated river water, which led to numerous cases of diarrhea and typhoid in the region.
Simon Peter Losut, Chairman of the Lotubae Water Association, noted that the village borehole and additional installing two storage tanks were rehabilitated by Catholic Relief Services (CRS). This is part of a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) project.
Funded by Charity Trust, the project encompasses not only sanitation and hygiene initiatives but also access to clean water for villages, schools, and nearby health facilities.
Turkana East Sub-county Medical Officer of Health, Moses Elim, reported that only eight villages had been declared Open Defecation Free since CRS launched their Community-Led Total Sanitation activities last year. Targeting 30 villages in the sub-county, the project has successfully achieved ODF status for 18 villages.
In this Lotubea community unit, only Lini Moja and Nakwamekwi villages have been declared ODF due the project’s implementation.
In Ayegyeg village, Community Health Promoter Solomon Ekwang Ekeno explained that residents now consider themselves “enemies” of open defecation, and are determined to prevent diseases. Since utilizing their newly constructed latrines earlier this year, malaria remains the only prevalent illness in the area.
Proudly showcasing her latrine and waste pit, Ekaru Eyen described how improved hygiene practices have benefited her family.
“My youngest, under five years old, was frequently in and out of the hospital for diarrhea. Now, we haven’t needed to go for months,” said the mother of five.
One innovative approach the project has introduced is the “Sanitation Market,” which promotes ending open defecation by selling products like SATO sanitation pans. Anne Korobe, a resident of Lokori Centre, upgraded her latrines with a SATO pan in December 2023, eliminating odor, flies, and mess.
At ACK Emanman Comprehensive School, Head Teacher Benedictius Loyelei highlighted the impact of improved sanitation facilities, including three blocks of latrines for 274 students. Hygiene practices, such as handwashing before meals and after visiting the toilet, are instilled in the younger pupils.
“School performance has improved, as has enrollment, thanks to these positive changes,” Loyelei remarked.
However, the five Lotubea villages relying on the one borehole, along with its health facility and Lopii Comprehensive School, must share three water kiosks. Due to the borehole’s age, its water yield has declined, resulting in an aggressive rationing schedule.
At the Lopii water kiosk, local resident Lorren Apua shared that water is available for two hours daily allowing the 15 households ample time to fetch water.
According to Lotubae water operator Jeremiah Lochurur, access to water for schools has significantly improved students’ focus on their studies, as they no longer spend afternoons fetching water from the river.
