13th September 2024, Lodwar (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Turkana County’s preparedness for the World Bank-funded Performance for Results (P4R) water access program, known as K-WASH, has gained significant momentum following a visit from technical teams from the World Bank and the Ministry of Water. The teams acknowledged the establishment of a County Project Implementation Unit (PIU), marking a crucial step toward the program’s rollout.

During the meeting, which aimed to assess the county’s readiness for the K-WASH program, Turkana County officials presented a list of PIU members to the visiting delegation. The county also submitted its project implementation work plans and outlined the programs eligible for funding under the P4R model.

Tito Ochieng, Turkana’s focal person for the K-WASH program, emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral representation in the PIU, which includes members from the education, water, communication, social services, and environmental sectors.

This comprehensive approach, he noted, is in line with the program’s funding requirements.

“We ensured due diligence in the selection of PIU members to guarantee a holistic approach in addressing water access issues across various sectors,” said Ochieng.

Simon Etom, Chief Officer for Water Services, highlighted that the PIU’s composition aligns with the project’s Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), which are critical for unlocking funds.

“The PIU is made up of strategic members who are well-equipped to achieve the project outcomes necessary for the disbursement of funds,” Etom stated.

The meeting also underscored the importance of collaboration between the county and national teams in identifying eligible projects for funding, ensuring that the K-WASH initiative is tailored to local needs and priorities.

Also present at the meeting were Paul Lotum, Director of Water Services, and the proposed members of the PIU.