Kakuma – March 19, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government has reaffirmed its commitment to support the transformation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in Turkana West from the current fragmented humanitarian interventions to a sustainable, government-led and utility-managed system under the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme (KISEDP) and Shirika Plan.
Speaking during the Turkana West Quarterly WASH Coordination Forum held at Kakuma, Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus said that the process will commence by asking partners to disclose their resource envelopes and, work towards aligning investments with the County’s coordination framework.
“Transparency allows us to match investment levels with impact and identify critical financing gaps,” he said.
The forum brought together county departments, national government agencies, development partners, water service providers, and community representatives to review sector progress and align on priorities.
Dr. Erus emphasized that Turkana West is at a critical transition phase, shifting from emergency WASH delivery to a regulated, utility-led model anchored on KALWASCO.
Director for WASH Services under KISEDP, Godfrey Ikone Akolong, underscored the need for strict adherence to coordination structures and institutional systems.
“We are not simply managing projects; we are shaping the future architecture of WASH service delivery in Turkana. Let us align not only our activities, but our systems, our accountability, and our long-term sustainability in the WASH sector”. He stated.
Progress was noted in transitioning 22 water systems to KALWASCO, expanding solar-powered and climate-resilient systems, advancing asset mapping and valuation, and increasing investments in infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion.
The sector faces groundwater sustainability issues, aging infrastructure, underinvestment in sanitation, increasing climate pressures, and coordination and reporting gaps among partners.
Partners agreed to strengthen emergency preparedness, establish a sanitation and hygiene sub-committee, adopt standardized digital reporting, and reinforce utility-led service delivery and institutional capacity.
Noting that the quarterly WASH coordination forums had been institutionalized as a formal governance mechanism, Director Ikone called on all the partners to regularly take participate and report through the KISEDP WASH office.
The participating partners also pledged to align their programs with the suggested implementation program aimed at ensuring that host and refugee communities benefit from a utility led service delivery model.
