Turkana County Shifts Refugee Camp Water Services from Emergency Response to Long-term Utility Management
Lodwar, 22 March 2026
Turkana County Government announced a major transformation of water services affecting Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps, moving from fragmented humanitarian interventions to sustainable utility-led management. The transition involves 22 water systems being transferred to KALWASCO, with partners required to disclose resource envelopes for transparency. This shift from emergency response to regulated service delivery could significantly improve water security for both refugee and host communities in Kenya’s second-largest county, spanning 77,000 square kilometres in the northwest region.
Strategic Framework and Leadership Commitment
Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus outlined the transformation strategy during the Turkana West Quarterly WASH Coordination Forum held at Kakuma on 19 March 2026, emphasising that the process will commence by requiring partners to disclose their resource envelopes and align investments with the County’s coordination framework [1]. The initiative operates under the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme (KISEDP) and Shirika Plan, representing a fundamental shift from emergency WASH delivery to a regulated, utility-led model anchored on KALWASCO [1]. Dr. Erus stressed the importance of transparency, stating that it “allows us to match investment levels with impact and identify critical financing gaps” [1]. The forum brought together county departments, national government agencies, development partners, water service providers, and community representatives to review sector progress and align on priorities [1].
Implementation Progress and Technical Advances
Significant progress has been recorded in transitioning 22 water systems to KALWASCO management, alongside expanding solar-powered and climate-resilient systems throughout the region [1]. The transformation includes advancing asset mapping and valuation processes, whilst increasing investments in infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion [1]. Godfrey Ikone Akolong, Director for WASH Services under KISEDP, emphasised the need for strict adherence to coordination structures and institutional systems, noting that “we are not simply managing projects; we are shaping the future architecture of WASH service delivery in Turkana” [1]. The quarterly WASH coordination forums have been institutionalised as a formal governance mechanism, with Director Ikone calling on all partners to regularly participate and report through the KISEDP WASH office [1].
Challenges and Strategic Responses
The sector faces several critical challenges including groundwater sustainability issues, aging infrastructure, underinvestment in sanitation, increasing climate pressures, and coordination and reporting gaps among partners [1]. To address these systemic issues, partners agreed to strengthen emergency preparedness measures, establish a dedicated sanitation and hygiene sub-committee, adopt standardised digital reporting systems, and reinforce utility-led service delivery and institutional capacity [1]. The broader Kenyan context highlights the urgency of these reforms, as over 60% of Kenyans in low-income urban areas rely on informal water vendors whose services cost 5 to 10 times more than piped water [2]. This economic disparity demonstrates the critical importance of establishing reliable utility-managed systems that can provide affordable water access to vulnerable populations.
Sector Employment and Future Outlook
The transition is generating employment opportunities within the WASH sector, with Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) seeking two WASH Engineers for positions at Kakuma Refugee Camp and Dadaab Refugee Complex for six-month contracts running from April 2026 to September 2026 [3]. These positions, reporting to the Program Engineer, will oversee technical design, implementation, and management of water supply systems, whilst leading the transition toward sustainable green energy solutions including solarisation of water production facilities [3]. The roles require Bachelor’s degrees in Civil or Water Engineering, registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya, and minimum five years of water engineering experience [3]. PWJ, which has been active in Kenya since 2012, focuses on WASH, infrastructure, and other sectors in Garissa and Turkana Counties, aligning with Kenyan national and county development plans [3]. The application deadline was set for 25 March 2026, indicating the immediate priority placed on securing technical expertise for this transformation [3].