Lodwar, April 29, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
A preliminary review of the second phase of the SCORE II project in Turkana indicates implementation is on track, with notable progress recorded across water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions
The four-day joint review was conducted by the County and the funding partner, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in collaboration with key implementing partners. The team visited project sites in Nakapatan, Nabulon, Nadoto, Ata-erika, Nadung’a, Kaaleng, and Lochor-edome.
SCORE II (2024–2027) builds on the achievements of the first phase (2019–2023), which delivered 76 boreholes, 10 sand dams, and supported over 600 villages to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status with aim to strengthen climate resilience and improve access to sustainable WASH services for 139,500 people across Turkana North, Kibish, Turkana Central, and Loima sub-counties.
Speaking during the review, County Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services, Agnes Mana, noted that the project reach is approximately a quarter of the county’s population, significantly contributing to the county government’s agenda of ensuring water as a universal right.
She emphasized the importance of sustained community engagement, particularly in driving social and behavioral change, and called for well-structured community entry and exit strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. She also acknowledged the strong collaboration between the county departments of water, health, and sanitation in project implementation.
KOICA Kenya Deputy Country Director Jooyoung Baek described the review mission as insightful, noting the value of engaging directly with communities. She highlighted the importance of youth involvement in sustaining development gains, adding that existing challenges should be leveraged as opportunities for innovation and growth.
UNICEF Kenya chief of WASH Haile Gashew added that the project sites visited had shown good progress indicating that the program was indeed on track.
Under SCORE II, partners are working to rehabilitate boreholes, drill new ones, and connection to schools and health facilities to improved WASH services. The programme also targets to build resilience for over 139,500 people in Turkana North, Kibish, Loima and Turkana Central.
Significant progress has already been made with the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar has completed rehabilitation of 8 boreholes, benefiting 14,880 people, and supported 10 schools and three health facilities, while also forming 8 water user committees and mobilizing 150 members.
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has mobilised and is upgrading 10 boreholes, to reach 30,540 people, and facilitated WASH services in 21 schools and 10 health facilities, alongside training 304 school board of management members.
On audit progress , 87 villages under SCORE II have already been certified as ODF, representing 25% of the phase target, with completion expected by July 2026. Cumulatively, 1,429 villages across the county have attained ODF status, accounting for 63.4% of the total targeted villages.
County representatives reaffirmed that the programme remains critical in addressing persistent WASH challenges in Turkana, where access to improved water remains low standing at 39.2% in Turkana North and 42.8% in Kibish.
The SCORE II project continues to adopt a comprehensive approach aimed at strengthening resilience to WASH-related shocks, improving health outcomes, and enhancing the overall well-being of communities across Turkana.
Partners present include UNICEF, Team and Team International, UN Residents Representative (Lodwar), Plan International and Water Resource Authority.
A preliminary review of the second phase of the SCORE II project in Turkana indicates implementation is on track, with notable progress recorded across water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions
The four-day joint review was conducted by the funding partner, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in collaboration with key implementing partners. The team visited project sites in Nakapatan, Nabulon, Nadoto, Ata-erika, Nadung’a, Kaaleng, and Lochor-edome.
SCORE II (2024–2027) builds on the achievements of the first phase (2019–2023), which delivered 76 boreholes, 10 sand dams, and supported over 600 villages to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status with aim to strengthen climate resilience and improve access to sustainable WASH services for 139,500 people across Turkana North, Kibish, Turkana Central, and Loima sub-counties.
Speaking during the review, Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services, Agnes Mana, noted that the project reach is approximately a quarter of the county’s population, significantly contributing to the county government’s agenda of ensuring water as a universal right.
She emphasized the importance of sustained community engagement, particularly in driving social and behavioral change, and called for well-structured community entry and exit strategies to ensure long-term sustainability.
She also acknowledged the strong collaboration between the county departments of water, health, and sanitation in project implementation.
KOICA Kenya Deputy Country Director Hwayeong Bae, described the review mission as insightful, noting the value of engaging directly with communities. She highlighted the importance of youth involvement in sustaining development gains, adding that existing challenges should be leveraged as opportunities for innovation and growth.
Under SCORE II, partners are working to rehabilitate boreholes, drill new ones, and connection to schools and health facilities to improved WASH services. The programme also targets to build resilience for over 139,500 people in Turkana North, Kibish, Loima and Turkana Central.
Significant progress has already been made with the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar has rehabilitated 15 boreholes, benefiting 31,600 people, and supported 11 schools and six health facilities, while also forming 15 water user committees and mobilizing 150 members.
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has upgraded 10 boreholes, reaching 30,540 people, and facilitated WASH services in 21 schools and 10 health facilities, alongside training 304 school board of management members.
On audit progress , 87 villages under SCORE II have already been certified as ODF, representing 25% of the phase target, with completion expected by July 2026. Cumulatively, 1,429 villages across the county have attained ODF status, accounting for 63.4% of the total targeted villages.
County representatives reaffirmed that the programme remains critical in addressing persistent WASH challenges in Turkana, where access to improved water remains low standing at 39.2% in Turkana North and 42.8% in Kibish.
The SCORE II project continues to adopt a comprehensive approach aimed at strengthening resilience to WASH-related shocks, improving health outcomes, and enhancing the overall well-being of communities across Turkana.
Partners present include UNICEF, Team and Team International, UN Residents Representative (Lodwar), Plan International and Water Resource Authority.
