A new water supply company is set to be operationalized to address the needs of residents in Kakuma Municipality. The initiative, supported by USAID STAWI, is part of the County Government’s broader strategy to enhance water supply and manage the growing demand.
During a recent stakeholders’ engagement in Kakuma, MrPatrick Losike Lokaimoe, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water Services, announced that the new company, registered as KALWASCO, is in the final stages of establishment. A committee will be formed to oversee the recruitment of new board members, ensuring compliance with the legal frameworks and provisions set by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB).
CECM Lokaimoe highlighted the importance of adhering to the legal requirements regarding the composition of the selection committee. One committee slot has been allocated to the Department of Refugees Services (DRS) to ensure comprehensive representation.
“The selection committee will be responsible for recruiting a board of management for KALWASCO,” Lokaimoe stated. “We are committed to ensuring full representation from Kakuma, Kalobeyei, Letea, and Lopur wards, which will fall under KALWASCO’s jurisdiction.”
The method used for operationalizing KALWASCO follows the approach previously employed for the Turkana Urban and Rural Water companies. This process resulted in the recruitment of five board members for each entity. According to the Turkana Water Act of 2019, the selected five nominees will be joined by the Chief Officers for Water Services and Finance, forming a full board of seven members.
The stakeholders’ engagement included representatives from the Turkana West WASH partners forum, the general public, faith-based organizations, professional groups, and UNHCR.
This new water supply company will be the third autonomous entity in Turkana, advancing the Ushirika plan, which integrates service provision for both host and refugee communities in the area.
Meza Mwanza