Senior county officials have met with Water Users Associations (WUAs) from Nakalale Ward to strengthen collaboration on water management and improve service delivery for communities in Naduat and surrounding areas.
The meeting brought together representatives from Lomeguro, Naperebei, and KeNHA/Morukapel WUAs, alongside county officials and the Turkana County Rural Water Services Company (TURWASCO).
Discussions focused on addressing persistent water shortages, upgrading infrastructure, and aligning community needs with county policies under the Water Act 2019.
TURWASCO Managing Director, Ekaran Victorsam, explained that the company was created to professionalise water service provision while working hand in hand with WUAs.
“Our priority is to ensure accessibility and sustainability in water provision services,” he said.
“This includes long-term investments such as a desalination plant, since much of the water in the area is saline.” He also outlined plans to extend piped water to households through a metering system.
Community leaders emphasised the importance of civic awareness.
Julius Lokala, Chair of Nakalale Ward Water Committees, noted, “Residents need civic education on the benefits of working with TURWASCO. If people understand the Water Act and its safeguards, they will support it.”
Director of Legal Services, Ekai Nabenyo, used the forum to unpack key provisions of the Water Act 2019.
He emphasised that the law does not abolish WUAs but instead requires the county government to implement consumer feedback, promote conservation, and collaborate with associations in water governance.
Community representatives also voiced concerns about growing demand. Vice Chair of Lomeguro WUA, Shadrack Ekuwan, urged the county to expand services.
“The population is growing, and so are our needs. Let us collaborate and drill more boreholes,” he said.
Deputy Director of Water Services, Jackson Arigan, acknowledged these concerns and confirmed that feasibility assessments would be conducted on proposed borehole sites at Nalimo and Kaenyangluk.
He added that growing demand, driven by gold mining activities in Naduat and migration into the area, had made expansion urgent.
For Sub-County Administrator Brenda Kokoi, the water agenda goes beyond infrastructure.
“Water is Agenda One. This is about providing water to communities and extending water connections to homesteads,” she said.
Other participants highlighted pressing needs in schools and hospitals, with Justus Eleman, Chair of KeNHA/Morukapel WUA, calling for redesigns of existing piping to ensure reliable supply.
Sub-County Water Officer James Koki Mariao confirmed that several new borehole sites have already been mapped under upcoming World Bank-funded projects, including the Horn of Africa and K-WASH initiatives.
He assured the communities that the county would continue to work closely with WUAs to deliver solutions.
Nakalale Ward Administrator Amos Esilan closed the meeting by emphasising the urgency of investment.
“Mining and migration are putting pressure on limited sources. Strategic investment in additional boreholes and piping will be key to assisting our people,” he said.
The meeting reinforced the county’s commitment to a collaborative approach, where communities, WUAs, and the county government jointly shape water governance and ensure services reach those who need them most.