Lodwar April 23, 2026
(Public Communication and Media Relations)

The County Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening institutions responsible for water service delivery as a key step towards improving access and availability of water services.
The commitment was highlighted during a capacity-building engagement held in Lodwar.

The three-day activity was organized by Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience. It focused on building the operational management capacity of water service providers and staff in the Department of Water Services.

Speaking during the last day, Paul Lotum, the County Director of water Services emphasized that improving skills and systems within the water sector is critical to better service delivery.

“Capacity building is central to improving performance, accountability, and sustainability of water services,” he said.

Lotum noted that strengthening the capacity of frontline officers directly translates to improved services for communities, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas where water resources are limited.

The training brought together staff from Water Department and service providers. Participants were taken through practical approaches to operational planning, system management, and service sustainability.

The Water Director also underscored the importance of continuous learning in the sector adding,“our institutions can only perform better when officers are equipped with the right skills and knowledge to manage water systems effectively.”

Eng Charles Ekeno, the newly appointed Project Coordinator for the Horn of Africa Underground Water for Resilience, underscored the importance of strengthening water utilities to enhance revenue generation and reduce over-reliance on external support, noting that financial independence is key to sustainable service delivery.

He emphasized well-managed utilities are better positioned to invest in infrastructure, improve service efficiency, and respond effectively to community water needs.

Ekeno further proposed the establishment of clear follow-up mechanisms after the training to track the implementation of lessons learned, ensure accountability, and support continuous capacity building.

The Coordinator noted that sustained engagement beyond the training would translate knowledge into measurable improvements in water service delivery across the region.

The initiative addressed existing capacity gaps that have affected efficient operation and maintenance of water services. It was linked to ongoing programmes aimed at strengthening groundwater governance and institutional performance.

The trainers indicated that similar capacity-building initiatives will be rolled out to other areas to strengthen the water sector further.