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Waste and Water Management: Turkana Water Summit 2014

Lotikipi Basin Aquifer
Turkana Hit water! That is old news now, but a year ago, it was all we could talk about. It also led us to believe, though naively that this discovery would miraculously put an end to pictures of starving Turkana people hit by severe drought.

Although that has yet to happen, this discovery of a vast aquifer (refers to a large mass of underground water) in a traditionally water deprived region is significant not just because of the international headlines that it has generated, but more because it is located in the driest part of the country.



Lake Turkana South Island
For many Kenyans pictures of starving Turkana people hit by severe drought still linger  especially because the only other reliable supply of water is Lake Turkana; a salty water mass and is therefore not a source of drinking water.

The Lotikipi Basin Aquifer discovered in Turkana has yet to be realized to date, but thankfully, well, we hope that the upcoming National Water Summit to be held on October 9 - 10 in Turkana County will highlight the county's plan to provide fresh water to its residents in a sustainable way; all while ensuring that the vulnerable elements of Turkana's ecosystem are protected. Experts, read UNESCO/OXFAM predict that the newly found aquifer if well managed could "provide Kenya with fresh water for the next 70 years". Go here to read more about this Summit.
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