Turkwel:The Turkana County Government, in collaboration with the National Programme Coordinating Unit (NPCU) under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme II (KDSP II), is conducting a baseline assessment of Turkwel Dam to evaluate its current condition in preparation for a proposed rehabilitation.
According to Kenya News Agency, this assessment in Turkwel Ward is part of ongoing reviews of County Investment Plans under KDSP II. It aims to determine the readiness of the proposed Level 2 project for implementation, identify potential risks, and establish outstanding safeguarding requirements.
Chief Officer for Administration and Disaster Management, Marian Lotieng, emphasized the importance of the assessment in understanding the dam’s current status and the required interventions before rehabilitation begins. Lotieng highlighted the need to identify challenges affecting the dam’s functionality and ensure proper planning and implementation of the rehabilitation.
County KDSP II Programme Coordinator Gabriel Lodoso stated that the assessment would provide a reference point for understanding local conditions and guide future planning. He noted that the information gathered would be crucial in identifying key issues for consideration in the proposed rehabilitation.
The NPCU team, including Muthoni Kang’ara and Peris Nyawira, explained that the assessment aims to verify information in the County Government’s investment plans and evaluate project readiness. Findings from the assessment will help inform necessary safeguards and technical requirements.
Turkwel Village Unit Administrator Eleman David mentioned that the dam has historically supported three irrigation schemes‚Tisa, Napool, and Nanye‚but its current state has disrupted farming activities due to inadequate water supply. Rehabilitation is expected to benefit approximately 1,600 farmers across these schemes.
Francis Esibitar, Chairperson of the Tisa Irrigation Scheme, expressed concerns about the dam’s condition ahead of anticipated El Ni±o rains. He warned that floods could impact people, livestock, and farms due to the dam’s inability to hold water effectively in its current state.
The baseline assessment’s findings will guide further reviews by the NPCU and inform project design, safeguard assessment, and implementation under KDSP II.
