Lodwar, February 23rd, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Turkana water sector is set to benefit from 4.1 Million US Dollar (about ksh 520 million) boost from the Government of Japan towards the Turkana Water Infrastructure Improvement Project (TWIIP) targeting host and refugee population in Lodwar and Kakuma Municipalities.
The funding will be channeled through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and implemented by UN-HABITAT over a period of three years running from January 2026 to February 2029.
Project brief presented to the Deputy Governor Dr John Erus, indicated that the ultimate goal was to expand access to safe and reliable water supply while strengthening capacity of the local water service providers to effectively operate, manage and sustain water systems.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr John Erus said the initiative aligns with the County’s broader agenda of improving access to quality and adequate water and, the Shirika plan frameworks for host and refugee integration.
“Since water remains a critical pillar of our transformative agenda for Turkana, we appreciate and welcome the project to complete efforts of the county in attaining the goal,” DG Erus said.
He added that the County was working closely with partners in the KISEDP framework to explore long-term solutions, including the possibility of damming River Tarach, to address persistent water shortages affecting the Refugee camp, Kalobeyei settlement schemes and the larger Turkana West areas.
Noting that the county had already developed a 25-year municipality water master plan for Lodwar, DG Erus expressed optimism that the new infrastructure project will reinforce the existing interventions and help streamline water supply by tapping from Napuu acquifer and protecting the boreholes along the Turkwel River.
Head of the JICA team Suzuki Fumihiko said that the new investment was building into the longstanding partnership between the County and JICA dating back to 2013, through previous programs such as IFNUS and ECORAD I and II.
On her part, Beryl Kanyile, Head of Country Programme, UN-HABITAT Kenya expressed hope in the Agency’s ability to implement the project drawing from a wide range of best practices and lessons learned across similar interventions within the development and humanitarian sector.
According to the project brief, the infrastructure development and rehabilitation will include: rehabilitation of the water supply systems, installation of bulk meters, engineering designs, pipeline extensions, solarization of boreholes and installation of Smart water kiosks.
Dr. Atshushi Hanatani, JICA Nexus Advisor seconded to DRS, added that already staff of the Kakuma and Lodwar based water companies were undergoing a series of trainings offered through Kenya Water Institute to support the programs roll out.
Deputy County Secretary for Administration Joseph Nyang’a, Chief Officer Office of the Governor Moses Korea, Director Public Health and WASH under KISEDP programs Akolong Godfey Ikone, Deputy Director Partnership Mike Aupe and Principal Administrator in the office of the Deputy Governor Jerry Ekimwormor were present.
