TURKANA, Kenya – When Eunice Akine noticed her household had lost access to water despite being connected to a previously reliable pipeline system, she decided to launch an investigation in the matter.
To her shock, she discovered that a neighbour had deliberately diverted the supply of the essential commodity to fill a massive private reservoir, leaving others without water.
Against this background, Turkana West Sub-County Water Officer Emmanuel Echapan disclosed that cases like Eunice’s are common.
It is now emerging that some water supply disruptions result from unintentional obstructions, while others are deliberate acts of vandalism, often motivated by the desire to avoid water bills.
In extreme cases, malicious actors sabotage supply lines, compounding the crisis.
Y News has established that vandalism of water infrastructure in Turkana West has become a growing concern, threatening access to clean water, escalating conflicts, and undermining substantial investments by water service providers and development partners.
Why stakeholders in the water sector converged in Turkana County
At the Turkana West 3rd quarter 2024-2025 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) stakeholders’ forum, which brought together national and county government agencies alongside development partners, participants issued a strong warning to perpetrators and committed to escalating discussions to find lasting solutions.
“The problem is becoming unbearable, and action must be taken to address it,” said Turkana Rural Water Company Board Member, Godfrey Akolong. “We need to engage all relevant stakeholders to develop an effective response.”
Akolong, who also serves as the director supporting WASH initiatives under KISDEP, noted that water companies have suffered significant losses due to increasing non-revenue water caused by vandalism and illegal connections.
“Water assets must be protected lest water companies will continue to suffer losses, and partners’ efforts will go to waste,” he added.
What is the main cause of water supply disruptions in Turkana County
Lokichoggio Deputy County Commissioner Ooko Anyumba linked frequent water supply disruptions to rising tensions and conflicts in the area, calling for urgent intervention.
“We have identified seven potential conflict zones in this region. When water supply is cut—whether due to drought or deliberate sabotage—the situation worsens,” he said. “We cannot afford to let this continue.”
Stakeholders also decried the loss of critical infrastructure, with some reporting delays in project implementation due to repeated acts of destruction.
Director of Water Services Paul Lotum emphasised that existing laws prescribe penalties for vandalism and reiterated the county’s support for stricter enforcement, increased community awareness, and closer collaboration with security agencies.
“Protecting water infrastructure is in the best interest of the community. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report cases to authorities for action,” Lotum stated.
How can Turkana County best combat the cases of water disruptions
Sub-County Administrator Christine Nalemsekon underscored the importance of better coordination among partners to prevent project duplication and ensure optimal use of available resources.
Beyond addressing vandalism, stakeholders explored broader measures to strengthen water access and sanitation services.
Key priorities included upgrading WASH infrastructure in schools to improve hygiene conditions for students and expanding water supply for agricultural use to enhance food security and resilience, as well as the status of projects undertaken by various partners in the current financial year 2024-2025.
Additionally, the forum approved an anticipatory drought response plan focusing on the restoration of boreholes and water points likely to be affected by floods and drought.
Coming at a time when the County is preparing to host World Water Day, stakeholders pledged to use the day as a platform for sensitising the public on the dangers of vandalizing water infrastructure and why it should stop.
Y News understands that World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance held on March 22 since 1993, focusing on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme for World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’.
