Lodwar, 24th March 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Turkana County has officially launched its first water quality laboratory, a major milestone in improving water safety, environmental protection, and public health.
The facility, unveiled as part of World Water Day 2025 celebrations, is expected to serve the expansive county and the neighboring areas as a regional testing hub, reducing reliance on laboratories in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Nakuru.
The county invested Ksh 9.9 million over four years (2019–2023) to construct the lab, with an additional Ksh 7.1 million provided by UNEP, the Government of Israel, and other development partners.
The funds covered high-tech equipment, reagents, and capacity building of critical staff in collaboration with the Water Resources Authority (WRA).
Before the lab’s establishment, Turkana wholly relied on distant facilities for water quality testing, a process that caused delays and raised concerns over sample integrity during transportation. The absence of a dedicated lab also led to inconsistent water quality assessments, hampering the efforts of public health officials.
According to a report by the Director of water services Paul Lotum, the newly launched facility can conduct 13 different critical water quality tests, delivering results equivalent to those from ISO-certified laboratories.
‘With further upgrades, its testing capacity could expand to 20 or even 30 parameters,’ Director Lotum said during the unveiling of the lab.
CECM for Water Services, Patrick Lokaimoe, emphasized the lab’s significance in positioning Turkana as a recognized water analysis area.
“Previously, we had no choice but to send samples to Nairobi, a costly and time-consuming process that sometimes-compromised results. Now, we have the capacity to conduct tests right here in Turkana,” he said.
The facility will also ease pressure on the existing WRA-operated water quality laboratories across the country.
County Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Charles Lokioto lauded the project as a step in the right direction.
“This investment proves the water sector’s commitment to improving service delivery. It is a win for Turkana residents,” he stated.
The local WRA water quality officer Joel Muli said that the lab is expected to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including water service companies, public health authorities, and environmental agencies in addition to playing a crucial role in monitoring industrial effluents to prevent pollution from wastewater discharge.
Speaking on the significance of the launch, Fred Nyongesa, Head of Water Quality Testing at WRA in Kenya, emphasized the role of such facilities in assessing the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water.
“A water quality laboratory is crucial for ensuring safe drinking water and generates data that informs interventions and policies. The official launch by the County, reinforces a science-driven approach to water safety and sustainable water resource management in Turkana and beyond for environmental, social and economic development moving forward,” he stated.
For local communities, especially pastoralists, the facility is a long-awaited relief. Pauline Akwalem, a resident of Kawalase, highlighted its importance in protecting livestock.
“Now we can quickly determine if the water we give our livestock is safe. In the past, we have lost many animals to contaminated water,” she said.
Turkana has previously reported high numbers of livestock deaths linked to unsafe water sources, underscoring the urgent need for localized testing services.
Beyond immediate testing needs, the facility will support data-driven decision-making for long-term water safety solutions.
Director of Water Services, Paul Lotum, outlined its role in shaping county policies.
“We will be able to tell the areas that require a defluorination plant, where we can simply put an Reverse Osmosis plant, or where other measures can be introduced to enhance water quality,” he explained.
CECM Lokaimoe was accompanied by the Chief Officer for Water Services, Simon Etom and boards of the three Water companies of KALWASCO, TURWASCO and TUWASCO during the launch.
It is expected that the first beneficiaries of this laboratory will be the water service providers. The services offered by the lab form part of the regulatory requirements without having to travel to distant labs.
The launch was witnessed by representatives from Plan International, UNICEF, FCA, World Vision, Oxfam, Team and Team, IsraAid, TCDM, TUPADO, WHH, Amref, Kenya Red Cross Society, Peace Winds Japan, CPF and IRC among others.
