Lodwar, 14th August 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus has commended the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for its climate change response program to boost livelihoods and increase water access for both host and refugee communities affected by climate-induced displacement in Turkana West.
The six-month project, implemented from February to August 2024 through Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) and World Vision Kenya (WVK), directly benefited 1,598 women and 1,108 men in the three villages of Lochoredome, Agis, and Nawountous.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting, DG Erus lauded IOM’s efforts in providing beneficiaries with modern farms for agricultural production, a borehole at Lochoredome, and a rehabilitated water point at Agis.
According to the DG, IOM deserves further commendation for enhancing the use of data during mobility tracking across locations with both local and international borders in Turkana West.
“I am proud that the data they generated was recognized by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics as authentic for decision-making. The County equally benefited from the same data,” said Dr Erus.
The meeting was part of joint efforts by the County, Peace Winds Japan, and World Vision Kenya with supported by IOM to address the climate-induced challenges faced by host and refugee communities in Turkana West.
DG Erus emphasized that the data collected would be shared with other stakeholders in humanitarian programs to improve future response efforts.
DG also urged development partners to adopt programming models that integrate development and investment opportunities for beneficiaries to ensure the county’s transformation.
Peace Winds Japan Water and Sanitation (WASH) Officer, Brian Lubano, noted that the boreholes drilled and rehabilitated during the project were fully test-pumped to generate yield data, informing connections to village farms and other uses.
“The intervention included the upgrade of Agis’s hand pump to a solar-powered system, the installation of elevated tanks, water kiosks, and cattle troughs for animal use,” Lubano said.
According to the PWJ WASH officer, the program also drilled a new borehole at Lochoredome, capable of injecting a hourly yield of up to 20m3 to the residents for agriculture, domestic consumption and animal use.
World Vision Kenya Project Officer, Isaack Muoki, added that the program integrated food security interventions by empowering farmers to participate in climate-smart agriculture.
Muoki highlighted that World Vision introduced value addition equipment, value chain mapping, cooperative formation, and market linkages for farmers to ensure sustainability.
Turkana West Sub-County Agriculture Officer Vincent Cheruiyot described the intervention as a life-changer, introducing closed-space farming, sharing experiences, and access to financing for a market-oriented production model.
