Askul: Government spent Sh3.2b in Turkana ASAL projects

The government through support from the World Bank has pumped Sh3.2 billion in 800 projects including the construction of 74 boreholes in drought-prone Turkana County.

East Africa, Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Askul Moe said water, infrastructure, education and health care projects were implemented in marginalized areas.

The projects were implemented by the Kenya Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (KDRDIP).

Moe said the multi-million ASAL projects were implemented in Garissa, Wajir, and Turkana counties.

"The projects are improving livelihoods and strengthening the region's ability to withstand climatic and socio-economic challenges," Moe said on Thursday as she concluded her two-day inspection tour of projects in Turkana County.

ASAL Principal Secretary Kello Harsama said the government was committed to sustaining the investments.

Local leaders asked for a five-year extension of the project, saying it would further improve infrastructure and services in the region.

"We are taking the request for extending this project very seriously and are preparing a strong proposal to support it," Harsama said.

In healthcare, the project equipped Kakuma Health Centre to a level four hospital at a cost of Sh154 million.

According to the ASAL ministry, the hospital was equipped with a maternity ward, dental unit, laboratory, X-ray unit, operating theater, and a mortuary, under the programme.

It was also equipped with male and female wards, a gender-based violence (GBV) center, a reinforced water supply system, and critical infrastructure and is set to adequately serve a population of 150,000 people in Kakuma, Turkana West and other areas.

Deputy Governor of Turkana Peter Erus said the upgrading of the Kakuma Health Centre under the ASAL project would reduce referrals to Lodwar County Referral Hospital and the Moi Teaching and Referral in Eldoret, miles away.

"Our goal is to minimize referrals to Eldoret or the already overstretched Lodwar County and Referral Hospital. We're also working on health insurance financing mechanisms to ensure the facilities are well equipped and staffed," he said.