Turkana county, through the Department of Water Services, is set to partner with World Vision in executing a program leading to a lasting solution to address the perennial water access crisis at Kalemngorok,.
The initiative aligns with Governor Lomorukai’s priority agenda, which focuses on ensuring universal access to water for all residents of Turkana.
At a meeting to develop a roadmap for the project, Chief Officer for Water Services David Maraka acknowledged that the demand for water in Kalemngorok had outstripped the supply capacity of the existing project.
“Through our own assessment and reports from residents of the area, more than 80% of Kalemngoroks’ population have no access to water,” Chief Officer Maraka noted.
Following the formation of Aroo Sub County and the opening up of the larger Turkana South through improved road networks and programs by the county and development partners, Kalemngorok has witnessed huge population growth and rapid urbanization, further increasing the water demand.
“We are aware that residents of the area depend on water vendors whose safety we cannot ascertain. Besides, Kalemngorok is a focal point for Kapelibok, Juluk, Nakwamoru, Naoyaregae, Lomokomol, Kalomwae, Nariamoru, Nabeye, and Namakat traders whose water needs we must equally address,” Chief Officer Maraka added.
The meeting proposed to revive and upgrade the Nabeye and Naoyaregae sources, situated between 10 and 15 kilometers away from the town, since the local sources had saline water unfit for human consumption.
In the plan, World Vision manager Tom Masinde pledged to support the development of a detailed design for the project building from the one they had implemented some three years ago in 2020 and 2021 through the IMARA program.
Director for Water Services, Engineer Paul Lotum, said that officers from the Water Department will be deployed to work with those from World Vision to ensure conformity of the plans with the desired standards.
Director Lotum added that vandalism of water installations has been severally reported at Kalemngorok, and he warned that such acts will be dealt with firmly.
When reached for comments, the Turkana South Sub County Water Engineer Judy Eregae Kalemngorok water needs also encompass irrigation, agriculture, and livestock needs.
Engineer Eregae confirmed that routine tests at Kalemngorok had proven the high salinity of the waters. She welcomed the move to draw water from Nabeye and Naoyaregae with additional storage facilities to serve the growing population.
“Once the project begins, we will work with partners to conduct public sensitization on the need for public involvement in safeguarding the installations from vandalism,” Engineer Eregae said.
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