Residents of Turkana West are set to benefit from the Danish-funded Sustainable and Inclusive Water Access (SIWA) program, a three-year initiative designed to improve water access for both host and refugee communities.
Consultations are currently underway to assess water and sanitation needs, shaping interventions that will maximize the project’s impact.
According to the SIWA project document, a budget of up to $5 million has been allocated for the 2024-2026 period.
The project aims to rehabilitate or drill 19 boreholes, install two water treatment plants, extend pipelines by up to 42 kilometres, and construct seven sand dams equipped with climate-smart technology (Sawa bags) to enhance water quality.
Additionally, the SIWA project will work to strengthen the capacity of the local water supply utility, KALWASCO, in improving water governance systems.
Turkana West Sub-County Water Officer, Emmanuel Echapan, stated that immediate interventions have been proposed for Nanam, Letea, and Kakuma due to their strategic importance in serving the growing population of Kakuma Municipality.
Echapan emphasized that further consultations will include key stakeholders from the education, health, and urban development sectors to ensure a comprehensive approach.
At a time when Turkana West is facing increasing strain on its water infrastructure, the SIWA project is expected to enhance Kakuma Municipality’s capacity and ensure that surrounding wards also benefit from improved water access.
The project will complement efforts by the County government in the area characterized by a surging population arising from increasing number of new refugee arrivals and the the migration of the host communities to the Urban centres to search for livelihood opportunities.
Already, the administration teams have started submitting the need of their community members in respective villages and wards of Turkana West.
Meza Mwanza