Residents of Lokipoto in Turkana West Sub County are hopeful for a brighter future following the successful drilling of an artesian well by the Turkana County Department of Water Service.
This development aims to alleviate the long-standing water scarcity issues in the area, enhancing water access for domestic, livestock, and agricultural use.
The borehole is expected to provide water directly to over 200 households and support up to 50,000 livestock, benefiting both mobile and residential populations.
The artesian well, which uses natural pressure to pump water, was tapped by a team led by Emmanuel Echapan, the sub-county water officer, under the department’s FY23/24 plan.
This initiative will significantly reduce the distance residents need to walk to access water, allowing them to engage in productive activities such as kitchen gardening and livestock rearing.
“For many years, the community here at Lokipoto has struggled with poor access to water. This new well will not only provide clean and safe water but also support sustainable livelihoods,” said Patrick Losike Lokaimoe, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water Services.
He emphasized the importance of sound governance to ensure the resource benefits everyone, particularly the pastoralist population that relies heavily on water for their livestock.
According to the CECM, the county seeks partnerships to develop additional water sources in the area to fully satisfy human needs and promote the pastoral livestock development economic value chain.
The installation of the well is part of a broader strategy by the county government to improve water access across Turkana West, a key agenda of Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai’s administration.
The CECM highlighted that the project, executed in the current 2023-2024 year, underscores the county’s commitment to tackling water scarcity and fostering sustainable development.
Residents of Lokipoto expressed their relief and optimism about the new well. “We have faced many challenges due to the lack of water.
With this new well, we can finally look forward to a better quality of life,” said Ebei Esekon, a resident. Another resident, a mother of three, added, “This will save us so much time and effort.
We can now focus on other important aspects of our lives.”
The artesian well is expected to serve as a model for future water projects in the county, demonstrating the importance of innovative solutions to longstanding problems.
As the community begins to feel the benefits of this new resource, the county government’s efforts to ensure equitable and sustainable water access will be replicated in other water-scarce locations.
Engineer Echapan also noted that efforts are being made to alleviate the suffering of residents whose water supply connections were interrupted by recent catastrophic floods in the county.
His team will monitor the well regularly and provide quick responses to breakdowns whenever they occur.
Located along the pastoralists’ migratory route between Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan, the Lokipoto area is expected to benefit significantly from the new water installation, serving the needs of its mobile populations.
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