Outstanding power bills owed to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company are to blame for the current water crisis facing Lodwar residents.
Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai said the county government had paid Sh 2.7 million in power bills to the company to allow residents to access water noting, prior to the payment, the county government owed Sh 7.7 million to the power company.
The governor said delays in the release of exchequer funds to the county by the National Treasury were partly to blame for the crisis, which has seen residents go for days without water.
“Water shortage has become a norm to us for the last three months,” said Joyce Ekiru, a Lodwar town resident.
The residents are forced to buy water from vendors, leading to a booming business for water vendors, including trucks. The hospitality industry has been particularly affected by increased expenses in purchasing water.
Meanwhile, the governor announced that the county government would embark on using solar power for boreholes within the Lodwar municipality to reduce power costs.
At the same time, Lomorukai expressed his commitment to implementing water reforms as recommended by the Senate. The reforms include forming urban and rural water companies to enhance service delivery.
It is alleged that the formation of rural water companies is facing resistance from a section of residents.
This development comes barely a week after the Turkana Rural Water and Sanitation Company (TURWASCO) expanded its operations to Aroo Sub-County, taking over four water schemes: Katilu, Kalemngorok, Korinyang, and Lokapel.
This acquisition increases the number of water schemes under TURWASCO’s management to five, with plans to integrate additional schemes within its jurisdiction.
The schemes, previously managed by community water user associations, were officially handed over to TURWASCO during a ceremony presided over by Advocate Ekai Nabenyo, Director of Legal Services, and witnessed by the County Executive for Water Services, Patrick Losike Lokaimoe.
The takeover aligns with the Turkana County Water Act 2019 and the County Department of Water’s strategy to professionalize water service delivery in rural areas.
By Peter Gitonga
