Eldoret – 14th November 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
A five-day governance workshop for the three county water utilities has concluded with a strong call for strengthened institutional sustainability to further improve service delivery.
The workshop, organized by the Department of Water Services in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aimed to enhance governance, accountability, and operational efficiency within the county’s three water utilities. The sessions were facilitated by Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) trainers.
The training brought together board members and senior management officials from Kakuma, Lopur, Letea Water and Sanitation Company (KALWASCO), Turkana County Urban Water and Sewerage Company (TUWASCO) and Turkana Rural Water and Services Company (TURWASCO). Participants explored ways to strengthen governance structures and address existing management gaps.
County Executive for Water Services, Willyjustus Lopeyok, restated the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible, reliable and sustainable water services.
“This training has enhanced the ability of the boards and management teams’ ability to plan strategically, manage resources prudently and provide effective oversight,” he said.
Lopeyok assured the utilities of the department’s continued support in resource mobilization, operational support, partner coordination and alignment with Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) regulations.
He emphasized the importance of developing of policies, customer-oriented service delivery, and building financially viable utilities.
“We can only achieve more in the water sector if we work together. Sustainability must be integrated into everything we do,” said Roseline Aite, County Executive for Finance and Economic Planning.
Director for Water Services, Paul Lotum, said the customised courses, nine in total, had and would effectively address existing capacity gaps.
“These sessions have shown us clear practical solutions for closing those gaps,” Lotum noted. “We now have an action plan that will guide improvements in water service delivery.”
He urged participants to apply the skills gained to strengthen management systems and ensure long-term sustainability.
The JICA Nexus Advisor to the Department of Refugee Services, Dr Atsushi Hanatani, appreciated the collaboration and expressed optimism about continued partnership.
He encouraged participants to “put their new knowledge into practice and improve service delivery.”
Chair of TUWASCO, Philip Aemun, encouraged the utilities’ senior management to work towards securing the WASREB licence.
“The licences will open doors for resource mobilisation and new partnerships,” he said.
He also requested that them to collaborate with the department of water services particularly in areas of technical assistance. He added that prioritising sustainability would guarantee a reliable water supply.
Acting Managing Director of TURWASCO, Ekaran Victorsam, noted that good governance
extended beyond statutory compliance.
“It is the foundation of trust, accountability and effective service delivery,” he said.
The Under Secretary at the Department of Refugee Services, Gladys Kiyapyap, reminded participants that good governance principles are anchored in the Constitution.
“These principles should guide all operations and programmes across the water sector,” she said.
She urged participants to develop innovative solutions to address persistent operational gaps and emphasized the value of efficiency; “doing more with less.” She also added that the utilities should foster a strong partnership with the national government, particularly in policy development.
One of the KEWI faciilitators, Erick Wamiti, highlighted the importance of supervisory accountability and noted that managers must demonstrate capacity through clear traceable actions.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation and Peace Winds Japan.
