1. The Water Dialogue
8th October 2013
VULNERABILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES
TAPPING GROUND WATER RESOURCES IN NORTHERN KENYA – KNOWLEDGE,
Monthly Multi-Stakeholders Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration for
Integrated Water Resources Management in Kenya
Introduction and Context
The Arid & Semi-Arid Lands cover 80% of
Kenya´s landmass home to 40% of national
population and approximately 52% of
Kenya’s livestock. In addition 80% of
economic-tourism interests in the country are
found in the ASALs. These regions however
suffer the highest incidence of poverty, huge
losses during drought and lowest level of
access to basic services in the country. To
what extent can groundwater be harnessed to
enhance services and sustainable livelihood?
What are challenges, opportunities and state
of knowledge to enable tapping ground water
resources in the arid and semi-arid parts of
Kenya?
Key Presentation
Peter Mayara (UNESCO)
Panel Discussion -Jason Oyugi (Chair)
 Eng. Joseph Kinyua- WRMA
 DR. Amel Azab- NBCBN, Egypt
 Dr. Aminesh Kumar – UNISDR- RoA
 Eng. Peter Njaagah - WASREB
Process
UNESCO – JICA and Radar Technologies International conducted hydrogeological survey to assess the groundwater potential of
North-central Turkana County, identify and assess maximum quantity of clean groundwater resources for
populations, with particular focus on Lodwar, Lokichogio, and Kakuma and finally, to assess the potential of
groundwater for development, with a focus on both shallow and deep structures. In a county that is better known for
water scarcity problems, the issue of freshwater availability and recent new water discoveries generated much
excitement and optimism. Presently, Turkana and generally North and Eastern Kenya population suffer from a
shortage chronic of both clean water for drinking, and reliable water for livestock and agriculture. These shortages are
as a result of natural conditions as well as underdevelopment
The assessment was a high gamble because it started off without any prior indication of GW potential. Initial
familiarization utilized data from very many NGOs working in this area and from
the Water Resources Management Authority. Among the first challenges was
getting drillers for an exploratory well since the experience of majority drillers is
limited to productive boreholes and barely in development of exploratory
boreholes. The other challenge encountered was in the lokitapi area where base
flow of River Turkwell made it difficult to distinguish between the recharge from
the river and precipitation. The study did not cover water quality.

2. The Water Dialogue
Monthly Multi-Stakeholders Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration for
Integrated Water Resources Management in Kenya
Discussion of findings
The assessment estimated huge ground water storage mostly in deep seated aquifer, but somewhat limited by
recharge. Using WATEX technology, deep seated aquifers of Northern and Central Turkana were mapped and
successfully confirmed by exploratory drilling. Aquifer Regime
Estimated Recharge Estimated Storage
Aquifer systems in the ASALs of Kenya are
poorly mapped. While the cost of GW
exploration is high nonetheless exploring new,
potential aquifers must be done carefully and
meticulously. Enhanced exploration of
groundwater in arid and semi-arid areas is both
important and urgent to collect reliable and
useful water availability data and support
management decisions. However, it is
important to remember that transmission and
distribution of water from source to points of
use is perhaps more demanding task than
source exploration.
Shallow alluvial (0-100m)
2085
2085
Deep Aquifer (100-800m)
1365
248,250
Total
3447
250335
Integrated water resources management envisages equitable allocation, transparently divided between different sectors
and besides the available storage it is critical to understand the recharge capacity. The location of high yielding aquifer
when viewed together with recent oil discovery in the Turkana County bring to light need of ensuring that water
benefits and threats are weighed with care, for example it was reported that for every 1 barrel of oil, 1.2 barrel of
water is required and which won’t be available for any other usage.
As it is evident from this survey;
-
One of the greatest obstacles to improve the water sector is the lack of reliable and useful date, and
The lack of skilled personnel or the access to companies and agencies that have the right skills may and often
limits implementation
It important to embrace collaboration and learning from each other to resolve capacity issues and optimize use of
resources. To improve knowledge sharing, the capacity building of the stakeholders must be enhanced to enable
generation, archiving and dissemination of data and information. Establishing networks at all levels is useful way to
strengthening knowledge exchange

3. The Water Dialogue
Monthly Multi-Stakeholders Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration for
Integrated Water Resources Management in Kenya
CONCLUSION
 The assessment of ground water in the Lake Turkana is a significant first step to map GW in the ASAL areas of
Kenya. It set very good basis for future investigation, however it should not be seen final. In Ethiopia for example
USGS advanced investigation upon similar work.
 Sharing information and knowledge is the first step towards a sustainable water resource management. But
beyond the sharing is need to explain how to use the information and to learn from each other. Professional and
knowledge networking will help to close the gaps
Key Messages
between all levels from academia, to official
authorities, to the private sector, and last but not
least to the communities and end users. Only with - There is need for caution that water discovery does
not create unnecessary emotion
an enhanced dialogue a fair distribution of water
- The potential for 200-500 shallow alluvial boreholes
for all sectors (water provision, irrigation and
in high-potential areas identified by this survey.
energy production) is possible.
- Abstraction should be based on recharge not
 Government has an important duty provide
framework regulations for research institution and
private sectors contribution to a comprehensive
understanding of water resources the full potential
and vulnerabilities. The performance of this
assessment demonstrates private sector do have an
important role in actual implementation.
 Creating awareness it is also important ad there is
need to develop capacity media to cover water
sector not only focusing on the problems and
challenges but also on the solutions and projects
that are already in place and potential
 Lastly, one of the important messages of the
discussion was that improving the water sector is a
dynamic process, nobody has the absolute answers
and therefore there is a need to constantly adapt to
changing needs and more importantly, that all the
discussions will end in actions.
Full presentation
available storage and WRMA should set abstraction
limits for normal and emergency withdrawals
- It recommended to undertake aquifer zoning and
gazette adjacent land to protect the aquifers from
harmful activities
- Exploratory and mapping survey should gradually be
expanded to cover the rest of North - East Kenya. In
the Lotikapi, there is need for another 10-20
exploration boreholes
- The skills/capacity of the drilling industry is
inadequate for carrying out reliable and sound
exploratory drilling.
- Research is key tool of capacity building
- Network a be good middle ground for interaction
between government and productive sectors
Further Policy and Research Questions
- Is the use of BH for emergency water resources
appropriate and wise decision?
- Are there opportunities for enhancing ground water
recharge in order to tap groundwater at shallower
depth?