Turkana County will benefit from the second phase of the Strengthening County Resilience Against WASH-related Climate Crisis (SCORE II) project, which aims to provide clean water to over 137,000 residents across the county.
The second phase of the project is set to benefit over 137,000 people across Turkana Central, Turkana North, Kibish, and Loima sub-counties
The USD 7 million SCORE II project aims to establish 41 water systems, building on the success of its first phase. This initial phase significantly improved access to clean water in Loima and Turkana Central by developing 76 boreholes, 10 sand dams, and creating a 25-year Lodwar Municipality Water Master Plan.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. John Erus who led the official launch of the second phase of the SCORE II project, reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment in supporting implementing partners throughout the project’s duration.
He emphasized the crucial role of technology in addressing water scarcity and quality concerns, calling for the inclusion of the Kalokol water system to meet the rising demand in the rapidly growing town.
“As we commence this project, the County Government pledges to collaborate with partners in leveraging technology to improve water quality and tackle the persistent challenges of scarcity,” said Dr. Erus.
The launch event, held in Kalopiria, brought together key project partners, including Hwayeong Bae, Deputy Country Director of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA); Haile Gashaw, UNICEF’s Chief of WASH; as well as representatives from the National Treasury, Ministry of Water, Ministry of Health, and the County Executives.
KOICA’s Deputy Country Director, Bae, underscored the project’s goal of providing sustainable solutions to water and sanitation challenges, particularly in the face of climate change.
“Through this partnership, we aim to create lasting solutions that enhance access to clean water and promote better hygiene practices,” stated Bae.
UNICEF’s Chief of WASH, Gashaw, highlighted the broader impact of improved water access, linking it to key areas such as nutrition, immunization, and child protection.
“Our focus remains on ensuring vulnerable communities have reliable access to safe water, which is critical in addressing climate-related challenges and improving overall well-being,” said Gashaw.
The benefits of SCORE I were evident among Kalopiria residents. Mary Lokwalap, a beneficiary, recalled the long distances she once walked in search of water, saying those struggles were now a thing of the past.
Teachers from Kalopiria and Kasogol Etom echoed similar sentiments, noting an increase in school enrollment and a significant decline in waterborne diseases.
Anna Ngolebana, another beneficiary who practices irrigation farming using water from the project, credited it with enabling her to educate her children and sustain her family.
“We hope the second phase will empower more people to embrace agriculture as a viable livelihood,” she said.
According to project reports, SCORE II also aims to increase the number of open defecation-free villages by up to 620 over the next three years.
Additionally, sustainability measures have been incorporated, including training locals in water system repairs through the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI), ensuring long-term benefits for the communities.
By Peter Gitonga
