Crisis in Turkana as only River dries up

The only permanent river in Turkana County, River Turkwell, has dried up leaving over 700,000 residents and about 10 million livestock at risk of starvation.

River Turkwell is an inlet of Lake Turkana supplying water to over 28 irrigation schemes in the vast arid county.

Currently, over 10,000 acres of crops that are under irrigation in Katilu, Naoros and Turkwell irrigation scheme have been affected.

This comes as a big blow to Turkana residents since River Turkwell is their prime source of water for both domestic and livestock upkeep.

A resident, Francis Ekutan, wants the government to intervene and help resolve the situation.

“Water levels usually go down mostly during dry seasons of December and January but when it rains, the water flows in normally but as per now even motor bikes pass through the dried up river,” he said.

Experts say it is as a result of global warming and climate change.

Written by Sally Boyani