The event commenced with a courtesy call to the County Commissioner for Turkana County, Mr. Jacob O. Ouma, led by the PIU Project Social Safeguard Officer, Ms. Phoebe Orina, Rift Valley Basin Area Coordinator, Mr. David Mutai, Sub Basin Area Coordinator Mr. Samson Rotich. The team was warmly welcomed to the region.
The County Commissioner acknowledged the efforts of WRA in enhancing water accessibility in Turkana County through groundwater resources.
He highlighted the significance of this project in addressing water security issues in the northeastern region, especially during times of scarcity and water conflicts between different communities and human wildlife conflict.
Thereafter, the WRA team proceeded to pay a courtesy call to Turkana County, Deputy Governor H.E. Hon. Dr. John Erus.
The DG welcomed the team to Turkana and pledged his support and confidence in the Horn of Africa Ground Water for Resilience Programme (HOAGW4RP) to ensure sustainable success in the implementation of the project.
Welcome Home “Tobong-Lore” Turkana is the origin of man, cradle of humanity, and the origin of civilization putting Turkana on the global Map, Despite all its beautiful attributes, the county still faces water shortages, leading to hunger and future uncertainty.
H.E. Hon. Dr. John Erus, the Turkana Deputy Governor, officially opened the workshop. He expressed gratitude for the project’s selection of Turkana County as one of its beneficiaries and urged the stakeholders and community to embrace and give total support to the project’s implementation to gain from the benefits.
The Deputy Governor emphasized his confidence in the team and assured to give his total support to ensure sustainable success in the implementation of the project.
This way, the county will be food-secure and avert water resource-related conflict.
Turkana County Executive Member (CECM) Water, Ms. Faith Alitea, highlighted the need for all stakeholders to pull together following the set Project Operation documents; her office will not tolerate any compromise throughout the project period.
The County is faced by challenges, 40% of the inhabitants of Turkana County have access to safe water, leaving the greater majority in dire need of water.
Napuu aquifer is at risk of being contaminated due to encroachment by communities that have already settled on top of the aquifer, which provides water for the Lodwar municipality, asking for protection of their borehole 9 which is the main source of water for Kanamkemer.
Stakeholders were informed about the HOAGW4RP objectives and workshop agenda, which included identifying priority sub-catchment areas, analysing environmental and social concerns, and selecting nature-based solutions for groundwater protection and conservation, such as managed aquifer recharge infrastructure.
Group discussions focused on a variety of topics, including community entry points, potential conflict areas, community-based environmental and social issues, potential land take issues, contractor management, existing gender issues, community conflict resolution mechanisms, and factors to consider for MAR project activities.
Participants also talked about historical indigenous conservation methods used by communities and the importance of incorporating these practices into modern groundwater management strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources.
As the workshop concluded on day two, the PIU Project Social Safeguard Officer, Ms. Phoebe Orina, expressed appreciation for the stakeholders’ active participation in all the discussions and presentations in coming up with concerns and resolution mechanisms for various issues raised.
