In the arid expanses of Turkana county, Kenya, communities grapple not only with the immediate crisis of water scarcity but also with the long-term implications of environmental change. As residents journey through the harsh landscape to access dwindling water supplies, they exemplify resilience amid adversity, showcasing the urgent need for sustainable solutions to support these thriving yet vulnerable populations. This effort to secure basic needs underlines a broader narrative of transformation and adaptability in the face of ongoing challenges.
Turkana, Kenya – In the relentless heat of Kainama in Turkana county, Veronica Akalapatan and her neighbors traverse several kilometers daily to reach one of the few remaining wells, encircled by parched earth. This dug-out hole, featuring a simple wooden ladder, serves as the only source of water for numerous villages and their livestock. Hundreds of individuals line up, waiting for extended periods to fill their small plastic buckets with minimal and often contaminated water.
“Once we get here, we dig for water in the well and collect fruit. We wait for the water to fill the well,” Akalapatan states. “We take turns to fetch it because there is so little. There are many of us, and sometimes we fight over it.” The rugged terrain, endless dust on the roads, and the scattered nature of the villages come together to illustrate the hardship faced by over a million residents.
Despite it being the rainy season, weather experts express concerns that Turkana and other arid regions may not receive sufficient rainfall. Currently, authorities report that drought conditions have returned, impacting 23 out of Kenya’s 47 counties. With approximately 3.4 million citizens suffering from food insecurity, and notably, at least 800,000 children exhibiting signs of malnutrition, the situation is dire as livestock—the backbone of pastoral life—continue to perish. In Turkana alone, 350,000 households are teetering on the brink of starvation.
“Water shortages are acute,” explains Turkana elder Peter Longiron Aemun. “Our livestock are dying, and we have nothing left. We used to rely on burning charcoal, but the acacia trees are scarce.”
Kenya is still recovering from one of the most severe droughts in four decades, which lasted from 2020 to 2023, and the emergence of another climatic crisis threatens to exacerbate the dire circumstances. However, experts point out an intriguing paradox: scarcity coexists with surplus.
While families suffer due to acute water shortages and hunger—caused by malfunctioning boreholes, drying wells, and depleted streams—Lake Turkana’s water levels have paradoxically risen in recent years, displacing various communities from its shorelines. In contrast, sudden heavy rains yield flash floods in normally dry riverbeds, known locally as luggas, yet this water rarely supports agriculture due to its quick runoff.
In this context, experts highlight how food loss and waste persist even amid hunger. Approximately a quarter of Kenya’s population grapples with severe food insecurity, while up to 40% of the food produced annually goes to waste, according to a September report from the World Resources Institute (WRI). The report explains that food loss occurs at various stages of production, from farming to transportation, while food waste emerges primarily in households, restaurants, and retail sectors.
Interestingly, in parts of the North Rift, one of Kenya’s main agricultural zones, farmers report successful harvests. However, high prices limit access to food for pastoralist families within Turkana. Compounding these issues, security concerns over competition for water and pasture trigger violence, further complicating an already precarious situation.
Yet amidst the challenges, there exists hope in the form of untapped resources. Beneath Turkana’s drought-stricken surface lie significant aquifers containing multiple layers of freshwater. The Kenyan government is working on harnessing these water sources, which were first discovered in 2013, with authorities optimistic about securing substantial quantities of water for future needs.
While much of the water is saline, presenting challenges for purification, officials are identifying areas where the water is safe and reliable. Meanwhile, relief food and water distribution efforts continue; however, supplies remain stretched due to logistical challenges.
In communities like Lopur village, residents resort to collecting wild berries and fruits, which provide minimal nutritional value but are crucial for survival. As shops exhaust their supplies, individuals like Akal Loyeit Etangana find themselves turning to these alternatives, cooking what they can over outdoor fires.
Despite the harsh realities, efforts toward resilience continue to unfold. Since adopting a devolved governance approach in 2013, Turkana has seen expanded access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, preparing the region for better drought response. “In the past, drought always led to disaster. This time, we are observing resilience-building efforts,” asserts Jacob Ekaran, Turkana’s coordinator for the National Drought Management Authority.
To adapt to the changing climate, the push toward diversification in agriculture, such as the introduction of drought-resistant crops and improved irrigation, continues to gain traction. Although these solutions are not novel, the ongoing crisis serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of sustainability and community resilience in the face of adversity.
Back in Kainama, as Akalapatan and her neighbors return home laden with the day’s water supplies, they embody both vulnerability and strength against a backdrop of a continuously changing climate, reminding us that the journey toward sustainability requires collective commitment and innovation.
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