Solar-powered water initiatives in Turkana, Kenya, are providing sustainable water sources and helping residents embrace farming as droughts worsen. Once devastated by annual dry spells, the region now sees the sun as a source of hope and transformation.
Solar-Powered Water Initiatives in Turkana: Transforming Lives
The Turkana region of Kenya — plagued by recurrent droughts since the 1960s — is now experiencing a remarkable transformation. Thanks to solar-powered water initiatives from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), residents are gaining access to sustainable water sources and taking up farming as an alternative livelihood.
Droughts that once occurred every five years now strike annually; the most recent began in 2020 and killed half a million livestock by mid-2022. Residents had grown accustomed to walking long distances for water, often returning home exhausted but still determined. Now, the scorching sun that once symbolized hardship has become a source of hope.
In Lochorodome village, near Kakuma, women in traditional Turkana attire gather at solar-powered water tanks. They fetch water to irrigate crops on a 10-acre farm, transforming barren land into fertile plots. Selina Emuria, a 45-year-old mother, explains how these projects have eased their burden. “Before these tanks, we walked for miles looking for water, leaving many house chores undone. Now, we can water our vegetables and still manage our homes,” she says.
The solar-powered water projects enable women to harvest four cropping seasons annually, with vegetables grown under shaded nets. Divided into groups of 20, they take turns watering the crops. With their second harvest underway, residents plan to sell their produce to those in the Kakuma refugee camp, creating a new source of income.
This initiative has already benefited 5,000 people — 1,300 directly and 3,700 indirectly — by providing clean water and supporting vital farming activities.
Expanding Impact Across Turkana
In Nawountos, about 100 kilometers from Kakuma, a similar project supports local farms where Halima Ing’olan, a mother of six, oversees irrigation. She explains that unpredictable rains and the laborious search for water are now things of the past. “IOM has trained us in farming techniques. We now grow a variety of vegetables instead of relying on expensive supplies from Kakuma,” says Halima. This new knowledge, she adds, has inspired the community to aim for wider markets, though she urges authorities to improve local infrastructure to help transport their produce.
Makhale Shadrack, the Operations Officer at Kakuma Town Water Services, explains the technology behind the projects. The system uses 30 solar panels with a combined output of 16.5 kilowatts to power a submersible pump. This pump pushes water through a 13.7-kilometer pipeline into an elevated 50.4-cubic-meter steel tank, which then distributes water to kiosks and farms.
Addressing Climate Challenges
Kenya has endured six consecutive failed rainy seasons, causing widespread displacement and food insecurity. IOM Chief of Mission Dimanche Sharon highlights the urgent need for adaptation. “With failed rains displacing over half a million people, we introduced the solarisation of boreholes and climate-smart farming practices like shade netting and drip irrigation,” she says.
Deputy Governor of Turkana, Dr. John Erus Lopeyok, confirms that the county government is conducting feasibility studies on its nine aquifers. The goal is to identify technologies, such as desalination, to address saline water issues in certain areas.
Reena Ghelani, UN Assistant Secretary General and Climate Crisis Coordinator, emphasizes the shift from reliance on aid to building sustainable livelihoods. “We are introducing innovations like solar-powered water harvesting and new agricultural techniques to help communities thrive in drought conditions,” she says.
Solar-powered water initiatives are a lifeline for Turkana, offering sustainable solutions to water scarcity and food insecurity. According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), two million people in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands remain food-insecure. These solar projects are helping to close that gap by providing reliable water and empowering residents to grow their own food.
The IOM’s solar-powered water initiatives symbolize a new era for Turkana. By harnessing the sun’s power, the region is addressing immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience. With ongoing support and improved infrastructure, Turkana could serve as a model for climate adaptation and sustainable development across Kenya and beyond.
