NAIROBI, Kenya – The fortunes of residents of Turkana and West Pokot counties are set to change after President William Ruto announced a combination of economic initiatives for them.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, President Ruto engaged grassroots leaders from Turkana County at State House, Nairobi, where he announced plans to establish irrigation schemes in Turkana, West Pokot counties.
“We have other ongoing irrigation programs. I recently engaged Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai of Turkana alongside his West Pokot counterpart, Simon Kachapin and shared with them how best we can utilise the water from Lake Turkana and Turkwel Gorge,” President Ruto said.
The head of state observed that there is a lot of water around the Turkwel Gorge and Lake Turkana that can be put to proper use.
“We have a lot of water around Lake Turkana because it is growing, thus giving us a lot of problems, yet we don’t have water for irrigation. So, we can do between 50,000 and 100,000 acres between Turkana and West Pokot counties while using this water,” he said.
President Ruto disclosed that he had already instructed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to undertake the projects.
“As a government, we are committing Sh2.5 billion to pipe water from Turkwel to Lokichar and see how the residents who live between the project will access clean water. Additionally, we shall do the Turkwel irrigation at the same place,” he added.
How the irrigation projects will be implemented
He also revealed that he has already gotten some individuals who will work closely with the two governors in implementing the life-changing projects.
“I want the two governors to engage the local MPs so that whatever we are doing in Galana Kulalu is being replicated in Turkwel. In Turkwel, we can produce maize, rice and sugarcane,” he explained.
According to President Ruto, for far too long, Turkana County’s progress has been held back, leaving it to lag behind other regions of our nation.
“That is why we are transforming Turkana’s infrastructure, starting with the overhaul of the Maili Tisa–Kitale–Kainuk–Lokichar Road, a lifeline that will connect the County to greater opportunities and markets,” said the president.
What are the other ongoing projects in Turkana
The head of state further disclosed that his ruling Kenya Kwanza administration is also powering Turkana’s future through a Sh2.3 billion rural electrification project.
“Additionally, we are constructing a Sh900 million modern stadium in Lodwar. At the same time, we are building two modern fish markets worth Sh700 million, upgrading and equipping Lodwar County Referral Hospital, and constructing Sh2.3 billion worth of hostels to ensure university and college students in the region have safe, dignified housing,” explained the president.
President Ruto challenged the grassroots leaders to accelerate Social Health Authority (SHA) registration in the area to guarantee affordable and quality healthcare for every household.
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