Lodwar & Kaituko – 5th November 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The County Department of Water Services has reactivated reverse osmosis (RO) plants in Lokapapararie, Turkana Central, and Kaituko in Turkana North to provide fresh and safe drinking water to local communities.
In Lokapapararie, the department delivered a five-month supply of essential treatment chemicals, while general operations and maintenance were carried out at the Kaituko plant. The chemicals are crucial for treating saline water and making it safe for consumption.
Speaking during the delivery, Chief Officer for Water Services Eng. Mark Achilla emphasized the importance of regular maintenance and sustainable operations. He urged the community to support revenue generation through user contributions to cover operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, ensure security, and fund future chemical purchases.
“We will convene a meeting between the community and TUWASCO to discuss the transition of the plant’s management. In the meantime, the community is expected to pay for the water to keep the plant running,” he said.
TUWASCO (Turkana Water and Sewerage Services Company) is a county-owned utility mandated to provide water and sewerage services to Lodwar Municipality and its environs.
Lokapapararie Water Users Association Chair Mark Ekamais noted that the community currently purchases about 30 jerry cans of water daily, against a target of 100 jerry cans needed to ensure financial sustainability.
Community member and elder Christine Emanikor shared how access to clean water has transformed life in the village.
“Before this plant, we drank water from open wells dug in the laga. Now we buy safe drinking water at Ksh 10 per jerry can,” she said, adding that her eight-member household consumes two jerry cans every two days.
She added that, having witnessed the benefits, she plans to encourage more households to buy water regularly for their health and to keep the plant operational throughout the year.
Director of Water Services Paul Lotum announced plans to build the capacity of the local community to manage and maintain the plant.
“We will train community members and county officers on maintenance, supply management, and minor repairs before handing over full responsibility to TUWASCO,” Lotum said.
Acting Managing Director of TUWASCO Benedict Ekeru reaffirmed this commitment, saying the goal is to empower the community to take ownership of the facility, purchase chemicals, and sustain O&M activities independently.
Speaking to the Lokapapararie residents, the Chief Eng. Achilla reminded them that water is life and called on them to embrace sustainability by committing to pay for water.
