TURKANA – Turkana County Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has announced plans to extend piped water to Loturerei and Napetao villages in Kanamkemer Ward, promising a long-term solution to years of severe water shortages. The decision follows repeated, unsuccessful groundwater drilling projects in the area, where newly sunk boreholes consistently yielded water too saline for human or domestic use.
Speaking during a community empowerment event for the Atoting’as Kaapei Women Group in Loturerei, Governor Lomorukai revealed that the County Government, through its Department of Climate Change, is actively seeking funding opportunities to finance the pipeline extension. He explained that the infrastructure expansion forms part of the broader Lodwar Municipality development plan aimed at improving basic services across growing urban and peri-urban centers.
To ensure the project moves forward without delay, Governor Lomorukai directed Kanamkemer Ward Member of County Assembly James Ikeny to coordinate directly with technical teams from the Departments of Water and Climate Change. The joint effort aims to fast-track planning, prioritize resource allocation, and ensure smooth execution once funding is secured.
The governor’s commitment responds directly to urgent priorities raised by residents during public participation forums for the County Fiscal Strategy Paper. Community members from Loturerei, Nawotin, Naitwoorong, and surrounding villages identified water scarcity as their single greatest struggle, pleading for piped connections from the nearby Naitwoorong network to sustain their households, livestock, and local farming activities.
Beyond water infrastructure, Governor Lomorukai highlighted his administration’s progress in improving regional stability since taking office in 2022, noting that enhanced cross-border peace has significantly strengthened the livelihoods of local pastoralist communities. Addressing broader peace operations, he expressed support for the ongoing security disarmament exercise in Turkana South, while firmly urging security agencies to operate within the law and uphold the human rights and dignity of residents, particularly women.
