Turkana residents benefit from 16 water projects by KVDA

PETER GITONGA-KNA

Turkana residents have a reason to smile following the implementation of 16 water projects thanks to the Kerio Valley Development Authority. 

KVDA CEO Sammy Naporos said six of the pro jects earmarked for this financial year have already been completed. The projects will reduce the long distances the residents, especially women, had to trek in search of water for homestead use and for their livestock. 

Speaking when she handed over Lokichar water project and other drought mitigation projects, Cabinet Secretary for EAC Affairs, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Beatrice Askul cautioned residents against vandalizing the water infrastructure. 

"We must as a community protect our water pro jects so that we can benefit from more," she said. 

The water projects will benefit 25,000 households and 280,000 livestock. In addition, they will also help build household resilience against climate and fight food insecurity and malnutrition. 

She said the projects were not enough adding that the government would be engaging other partners to install more water pro jects. She said the government will get feedback from the citizenry about the pro jects. 

KVDA CEO Sammy Naporos said the Lokichar project cost Sh10 million and appealed to the residents to protect the borehole and related water infrastructure against vandalism. 

The project components include borehole, solar panels, fence, livestock troughs or watering points and community water points. The project will benefit 800 households and 40,000 livestock. 

KVDA board chairman said the residents can now use the water following the handing over and also reiterated the need for the community to protect the project. He said the board and staff will be visiting the communities to assess their needs and prioritize needy communities like Turkana.