International Partners Review £700,000 Water Infrastructure Programme in Kenya's Largest Drought-Prone County
Lodwar, 28 April 2026
UNICEF and South Korea’s development agency are conducting a comprehensive four-day assessment of water and sanitation projects worth 900 million Kenyan shillings in Turkana County. The evaluation focuses on the ambitious SCORE programme’s second phase, which aims to transform 620 villages into open defecation-free zones whilst rehabilitating 38 boreholes and connecting schools and health facilities to clean water systems. Serving over 100,000 people including refugee populations in Kakuma settlement, this critical infrastructure review will determine future resource allocation for one of Kenya’s most water-scarce regions.
Strategic Assessment Begins in Kenya’s Water-Scarce Region
The joint delegation from UNICEF and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) commenced their evaluation on Monday, 27 April 2026, meeting with key Turkana County officials to outline the scope of their comprehensive review [1][2]. Deputy County Secretary for Administration Joseph Nyanga, alongside Chief Officers Moses Korea from the Office of the Governor and Agnes Mana from Preventive Health, hosted the international team and pledged full county support for the assessment exercise [1][2]. The delegation represents a significant international partnership, with KOICA bringing South Korean expertise in water infrastructure development to complement UNICEF’s global experience in humanitarian water and sanitation programmes [1][2].
Ambitious Infrastructure Targets Across Multiple Sub-Counties
The second phase of the SCORE programme, officially launched in July 2025, encompasses an ambitious scope of water infrastructure development across Turkana’s most vulnerable areas [2]. Rotuno Kipsang, speaking on behalf of the visiting team, outlined that the programme will rehabilitate 38 existing boreholes, drill three entirely new water sources, and connect 21 schools and 10 health facilities to reliable water and sanitation services [2]. The programme specifically targets Turkana North and Kibish sub-counties, with the delegation scheduled to visit project sites at Kerio, Nabulon, and other locations in Turkana Central during their four-day assessment [2]. Beyond water access, the initiative aims to transform 620 villages into Open Defecation Free zones through a community-led total sanitation approach, addressing critical public health challenges in the region [2].
Multi-Partner Implementation Strategy
The programme operates through a collaborative implementation model involving international organisations, local government, and specialised partners [2]. Welthungerhilfe, Team and Team, and Turkana County Government serve as the primary implementing partners, working together to deliver the comprehensive water, sanitation, and hygiene services [2]. This partnership approach ensures that international expertise combines with local knowledge and government structures to create sustainable water solutions [2]. The monitoring team’s assessment focuses specifically on evaluating progress made by these implementing partners since the project’s official rollout in July 2025, providing crucial feedback for programme optimisation [2].
Significant Investment Targets Over 100,000 Beneficiaries
With its substantial budget of 900 million Kenyan shillings, the SCORE programme represents one of the largest water infrastructure investments in Turkana County’s recent history [2]. The initiative targets more than 100,000 people across its implementation areas, demonstrating the scale of water access challenges in this drought-prone region [2]. Key county officials present during the delegation’s arrival included Paul Lotum, Director of Water Services, Vincent Ekai, the focal person for the SCORE project, and Reuben Kibiego, the County WASH coordinator, highlighting the programme’s integration with local government structures [2]. Deputy County Secretary Nyanga emphasised that the project embodies the true spirit of partnership with impact, aligning with Governor Dr. Jeremiah Lomorukai’s vision for sustainable development in the county [2].