Thursday, September 19, 2013

Turkana water to be shared with EAC countries

Water gushing out of a borehole at Napuu area during the flushing process. Photo/COURTESY/UNESCO

In Summary

• Water to be shared with Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda
• Turkana residents will start enjoying the water from the Lodwar Aquifer by November
• A reserve of 250 billion cubic metres of water was discovered in Turkana early September

By SAMMY LUTTAMore by this Author

Kenya will share underground water found in Turkana with neighboring Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda under an agreement to strengthen international relations.

Principal Secretary from the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Natural Resources Mr. James Teko this will be done once the government gets more advanced technical equipment to exploit the huge Lotikipi Aquifer.

“This is after we have ensured that the water is benefiting the people of Turkana first and we later source for assistance on how to further exploit the water because we can’t do it alone.” said Teko.

He however said Turkana residents will start enjoying the water from the Lodwar Aquifer by November.

Mr Teko said the Rift Valley Water Service Board was still assembling the equipment that will be used to transport the water to Lodwar.

He said the ministry is currently conducting ground water testing on more aquifers to be established in the Southern and Eastern part of Turkana.

He advised the county government to be involved in projects that will generate more revenue from the discovered water.

A reserve of 250 billion cubic metres of water, and which is naturally replenished at the rate of about 3.4 billion cubic metres per year was discovered in Turkana early September

The water reservoirs could meet the entire country's needs for at least 70 years