Kenya's Largest County Tackles Water Crisis Through Institution Building
Lodwar, 24 April 2026
Turkana County launches comprehensive capacity-building programme to address water scarcity affecting its 77,000 square kilometre territory and refugee populations.
Strategic Institutional Strengthening Initiative
The Turkana County Government concluded a three-day capacity-building engagement in Lodwar on 23 April 2026, organised by Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience [1]. The initiative specifically targeted strengthening institutions responsible for water service delivery, with Paul Lotum, the County Director of Water Services, emphasising that improving skills and systems within the water sector is critical to better service delivery [1]. The training brought together staff from the Water Department and service providers, taking participants through practical approaches to operational planning, system management, and service sustainability [1].
Addressing Critical Regional Challenges
Turkana’s status as Kenya’s second-largest county, covering 77,000 square kilometres, makes this institutional strengthening particularly significant [1]. The county’s position as the north-western most region in Kenya means its water infrastructure serves not only local communities but also supports the substantial refugee populations in Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps [GPT]. Lotum noted that strengthening the capacity of frontline officers directly translates to improved services for communities, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas where water resources are limited [1]. The initiative addressed existing capacity gaps that have affected efficient operation and maintenance of water services, linking to ongoing programmes aimed at strengthening groundwater governance and institutional performance [1].
Financial Sustainability and Revenue Generation
Engineer Charles Ekeno, the newly appointed Project Coordinator for the Horn of Africa Underground Water for Resilience, underscored the importance of strengthening water utilities to enhance revenue generation and reduce over-reliance on external support [1]. Ekeno emphasised that financial independence is key to sustainable service delivery, noting that well-managed utilities are better positioned to invest in infrastructure, improve service efficiency, and respond effectively to community water needs [1]. This approach is particularly crucial for Turkana, where both host communities and refugee populations depend on reliable water infrastructure for their daily survival and long-term stability [GPT].
Implementation and Future Expansion
Ekeno proposed the establishment of clear follow-up mechanisms after the training to track the implementation of lessons learned, ensure accountability, and support continuous capacity building [1]. The Project Coordinator noted that sustained engagement beyond the training would translate knowledge into measurable improvements in water service delivery across the region [1]. Trainers indicated that similar capacity-building initiatives will be rolled out to other areas to strengthen the water sector further, suggesting a broader regional approach to addressing water scarcity challenges [1]. Lotum reinforced this commitment, stating that ‘our institutions can only perform better when officers are equipped with the right skills and knowledge to manage water systems effectively’ [1].