The government is working with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on a project to improve water supply for refugees and host communities in Turkana County.
Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir held discussions with representatives from the two organisations at Maji House on Thursday over the proposed project.
The JICA-funded programme will focus on rehabilitating and improving water supply infrastructure in Kakuma and Lodwar municipalities.
The project is expected to support access to reliable and sustainable water services for both refugees and communities living around the refugee settlements.
During the meeting, Korir called for better coordination of water projects being implemented or planned in Turkana to avoid duplication and ensure resources are used effectively.
He specifically called for the proposed project to be aligned with the Kenya Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programme (K-WASH) and the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project (HoAGW4RP).
Korir also asked project coordinators to work through the existing technical group to improve coordination, information sharing and planning.
The State Department for Water and Sanitation will chair the Oversight Committee that will provide strategic direction for the project and coordinate the different interventions.
The committee will also ensure that the various water projects contribute towards improving services for both refugees and their host communities.
The meeting was attended by Water Secretary Eng. Samuel Alima and HoAGW4RP Project Coordinator Dr Okoth Owuor, among other officials.
