Lodwar, January 10, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The Deputy Governor Dr John Erus has called for an urgent need to protect Borehole 9D from the River Turkwel. The borehole is 30 metres away from the river. Boreholes 9C and 9D supply water to Kanamkeme ward.
“As a government, we have an obligation to ensure water is accessible to all the people in this county. Water accessibility is the Governor’s first Development Agenda. With concerted efforts, I ask our partners to support us in protecting borehole 9, lest it would be a disaster in the offing. The borehole yields 100 cubic metres and serves 4000 people in Kanamkemer,” appealed the DG.
The call follows several occasions where the swelling water from River Turkwel swept away Borehole 9, 9A, 9B during the recent past flash floods, resulting in reduced access to safe drinking water to residents of Kanamkemer Ward in Lodwar Municipality.
Speaking on Friday, in his office during a courtesy visit by the USAID Stawi’s Water Technical Advisor, Job Kitetu, Dr Erus said his office will marshal the support of partners on the same issue during a planned partner’s meeting on 23rd to 24th January, 2024.
The DG said, “it is only until we use the locally adopted water technologies through the recently launched 25-year Water Master Plan for Lodwar Municipality, all these challenges will be things of the past.”
The County Executive for Water Services, Patrick Losike appreciated the support his Ministry is getting from the Water Sector, saying they have been available for support when called for, especially during the recent borehole 9 emergency.
Advisor Kitetu, visited the DG to brief him of the progress of the projects USAID Stawi is implementing in Turkana, including the protection of the borehole 9.
“USAID Stawi has invested Ksh. 80 million for the protection of the borehole 9, Naregae, Kang’alita and the Lokwaliwa water projects in Turkana. They are all at different stages of completion,” Stawi’s Advisor explained.
Following the meeting, the team went to the field to visit where the Borehole 9 is located and gather more information on best can be safeguarded from the natural hazard.
In his remark, Kitetu said the USAID Stawi has set aside Ksh. 4 million to further protect the borehole from destruction and being submerged in the river. He said the money set aside will be used to raise an elevated steel tank of 90 cubic metres at Kanamkemer slaughter house, equip and protect the borehole already drilled by the county government.
Additionally, the Water Advisor said the protection on gabions of the borehole, will start from the rock catchment in five proposed levels.
Those present included; Esther Lokitoe (Ag. MD Turkana Urban Company), Michael Aupe (Deputy Director Resource Mobilization), Jeremiah Eipa (PA to the DG), George Aremon (Assistant Director-Water Services) and Eng Zachaeus Okoth (USAID Stawi’s Urban Water Specialist).
