Lodwar, 9 April, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

County Government, through the Department of Water Services, is set to partner with World Vision Kenya to address the perennial water access crisis at Kalemn’gorok with a lasting solution.

The initiative aligns with Governor Lomorukai’s priority agenda, which focuses on ensuring universal access to water for all residents of Turkana.

At a meeting to develop a roadmap for the response, Chief Officer for Water Services David Maraka acknowledged that the demand for water in Kalemn’gorok had outstripped the supply capacity of the existing project.

“Through our assessment and reports from residents of the area, more than 80% of Kalemn’gorok’s population have no access to water,” Chief Officer Maraka noted.

Following the formation of Aroo Sub-County and the opening up of the larger Turkana South through improved road networks and programs by the county and development partners, Kalemn’gorok has witnessed huge population growth and rapid urbanization, further increasing the water demand.

“We are aware that residents of the area depend on water vendors whose safety we cannot ascertain. Besides, Kalemn’gorok is a focal point for Kapelibok, Juluk, Nakwamoru, Naoyaregae, Lomokomol, Kalomwae, Nariamoru, Nabeye, and Namakat traders whose water needs we must equally address,” Chief Officer Maraka added.

The meeting proposed to revive and upgrade the Nabeye and Naoyaregae sources, situated between 10 and 15 kilometres away from the town, since the local sources had saline water unfit for human consumption.

In the plan, World Vision Manager – Tom Masinde pledged to support the development of a detailed design for the project building on the one they had implemented three years ago through the IMARA Project.

Director for Water Services, Engineer Paul Lotum, said that officers from the Water Department would be deployed to work with those from World Vision Kenya to ensure conformity of the plans with the desired standards.

Director Lotum added that vandalism of water installations has been severely reported at Kalemn’gorok, and he warned that such acts would be dealt with firmly.

The Turkana South Sub County Water Engineer Judy Eregae noted that Kalemn’gorok’s water needs also encompass irrigation, agriculture, and livestock needs.

Engineer Eregae confirmed that routine tests at Kalemn’gorok had proven the high salinity of the waters. She welcomed the move to draw water from Nabeye and Naoyaregae with additional storage facilities to serve the growing population.

“Once the project begins, we will work with partners to conduct public sensitization on the need for public involvement in safeguarding the installations from vandalism,” Engineer Eregae said.