Lodwar, April 27, 2024 (Public Communications & Media Relations)

The County Department of Water Services has issued an alert on possible water shortages that may severely affect residents of Kanamkemer in Lodwar and Kalokol starting today.

“The unfortunate situation has arisen from the destruction of borehole-9 at Nabulon, following the swelling of the River Turkwell. The borehole serves nearly half of Lodwars’ population,” Water Services Director Paul Lotum has stated.

A similar case has also occurred in Kalokol, where the Nakiria River caused havoc to the existing Kalokol Water Supply System just two days ago.

“The new CECM, Patrick Losike, is already privy to the happenings, after intensive briefs by the immediate outgoing CECM Faith Aletea,” Director Lotum informed.

To effectively manage the situation, the Department has raised the issue with the County Steering Group (CSG) as an emergency, calling for urgent and joint intervention of both the government and partners.

At a meeting to develop a response plan, it was agreed that the pipeline system that connects residents to borehole nine will be reconnected with functional boreholes to alleviate the situation, albeit as a temporary measure.

As for the case of Kalokol, CECM Losike has directed the contractor at Kadokorinyang to speed up the project and save residents of Kalokol from water shortages.

“As we continue to assess the situation, am also directing LOWASCO and all the sub-County Water officers to activate their rapid response teams for immediate intervention in any situation that may arise

Coordinator of Kenya Red Cross in Turkana County, Rukia Abubakar added that they will support the ongoing emergency interventions by the County.

“Our focus will be on the provision of technical expertise, supply of emergency evacuation personnel, and real-time information sharing to solicit further assistance when the need arises,” KRCS Coordinator, Rukia Abubakar added.