Turkana Opens First Water Quality Lab, Ending Reliance on Distant Testing

By Turkana Correspondent - For years, Pauline Akwalem and her neighbors in Kawalase, Turkana, watched their livestock suffer. The water sources they relied on often turned deadly, contaminated with unseen dangers. 

Testing water quality meant sending samples hundreds of kilometers away, a process too slow to prevent disaster.

"In the past, we lost animals because we couldn’t confirm if the water was safe. Now, we can test right here and act fast," she said.

That struggle may now be a thing of the past. On World Water Day 2025, Turkana County launched its first-ever water quality laboratory, a major milestone in improving water safety, environmental protection, and public health. 

The facility, expected to serve Turkana and neighboring regions, reduces the county’s reliance on testing labs in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Nakuru.

The county invested Ksh 9.9 million between 2019 and 2023 to construct the lab, with an additional Ksh 7.1 million provided by UNEP, the Government of Israel, and other development partners. 

The funds covered high-tech equipment, reagents, and staff training in collaboration with the Water Resources Authority (WRA).

Before the lab’s establishment, Turkana lacked a dedicated facility for water quality testing, causing delays in obtaining results and raising concerns over sample integrity during transportation. Without localized testing, water quality assessments remained inconsistent, making it difficult for public health officials to intervene effectively.

According to Water Services Director Paul Lotum, the new lab can conduct 13 critical water quality tests, producing results that meet ISO-certified standards.

"With further upgrades, its testing capacity could expand to 20 or even 30 parameters," Lotum said during the launch.

County Executive for Water Services Patrick Lokaimoe underscored the significance of the lab in strengthening Turkana’s position as a water analysis hub.

"Previously, we had to send samples to Nairobi, a costly and time-consuming process that sometimes compromised results. Now, we have the capacity to conduct tests right here in Turkana," Lokaimoe said.

The facility will also reduce pressure on WRA-operated laboratories across the country and support various stakeholders, including water service companies, public health authorities, and environmental agencies. 

Additionally, it will play a crucial role in monitoring industrial effluents and preventing pollution from wastewater discharge.

County Assembly Speaker Charles Lokioto lauded the project as a crucial investment in Turkana’s water sector.

"This laboratory proves our commitment to improving service delivery. It is a win for Turkana residents," he said.

WRA’s Head of Water Quality Testing, Fred Nyongesa, emphasized the lab’s role in ensuring safe drinking water and guiding policy decisions.

"A water quality laboratory is crucial for ensuring safe drinking water. It generates data that informs interventions and policies. The launch of this facility reinforces a science-driven approach to water safety and sustainable water resource management in Turkana and beyond," Nyongesa said.

Turkana has previously recorded high numbers of livestock deaths linked to unsafe water sources, highlighting the urgent need for localized testing services.

Beyond immediate testing, the lab will support data-driven decision-making for long-term water safety solutions. Lotum explained that the facility would help identify areas that require defluorination plants, reverse osmosis (RO) systems, or other water treatment measures.

CEC Lokaimoe, who was accompanied by board members from the county’s three water companies, KALWASCO, TURWASCO, and TUWASCO, said the next priority is securing ISO certification to enhance the lab’s credibility and ensure continuous improvement in water quality testing.

"The first beneficiaries of this laboratory will be water service providers. The services offered by the lab form part of the regulatory requirements without having to travel to distant labs," Lokaimoe said.

The launch drew support from key development partners and humanitarian organizations working in Turkana, reinforcing the county’s commitment to sustainable water management.