Turkana County Government and Water Sector Trust Fund will partner to implement water and sanitation programme in Turkana Central, Turkana West and Loima sub counties.
The Sustainable Management and Access to Water and Sanitation in the ASALs (SWASAP) programme is funded by the Royal Danish Embassy, and supported by the government.
A delegation from Water Fund led by WSTF Principal Programme Officer Emmanuel Macharia, met and briefed Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus about the five-year programme to be implemented in six ASALs counties, and will include integrated projects in water resource management, water services, and sanitation.
Macharia informed the DG that the programme had allocated Sh140 million to each county, while respective county governments will contribute 15 per cent of the allocation.
In Turkana, three projects will be implemented: the Dumisha Maji Project in parts of Turkana West and Loima. The project targets Lokiriama/Lorengipi, Lobei/Kotaruk, Lokichoggio and Nanam wards.
The Enhanced Climate Change Adaptation through Sustainable Access and Management of Water and Sanitation in Turkana County Project (ESMAT) will be implemented in Kalokol ward and will include improving water supply to 785 households and better sanitation in 30 villages. The project will cost Sh45 million and will be implemented by Practical Action.
The Kakuma and Kalobeyei Sustainable Access to Water and Sanitation in Support of Livelihood Programme (KK-INSPIRE) will be implemented in Kakuma and Kalobeyei and targets improved sanitation, water supply and better management of water resources. The project will cost Sh28.8 million and will be implemented by Team and team International.
In the meeting held at the County headquarters, DG Erus restated commitment from Governor Lomorukai to support development partners implementing programmes in Turkana. He said projects, especially those geared towards solving water challenges in the county were welcomed to support the administration’s water as a universal right agenda.
“Improving access to water for residents of the county is a priority in the Governor’s agenda for Turkana. The county has great potential with numerous water sources but lacks financial resources to exploit the potential. We appreciate partners supporting us to achieve this vision,” he said.
He asked partners seeking to implement integrated projects targeting refugee and host community to consider extending target areas beyond Kakuma and Kalobeyei. He insisted that challenges faced were similar across Turkana and the county was keen to ensure equal distribution of resources.
He requested that partners adhere to set frameworks of collaboration for joint planning and implementation of projects. The DG directed line departments under the programme to engage the partner on the technical details to fast-track the co-financing and roll out the project.
Senior officials at the meeting were County Secretary Peter Eripete, Acting Chief Officers James Lokwale (Water Services) and Alfred Emanman (Health and Sanitation), and Assistant Director for Water Services Paul Lotum.
Also with the Water Fund delegation County Resident Engineer Grishon Ngige, SWASAP Programme Engineer Joshua Maina, County Resident Coordinator Patrick Naboikut and Finance Officer Milicent Mutuku.
By Peter Gitonga
