Solar-powered water initiatives in Turkana, Kenya, are providing sustainable water sources and enabling residents to embrace farming amid worsening droughts. Once devastated by annual dry spells, the region now sees the sun as a source of hope and transformation.
Solar-Powered Water Initiatives: Transform 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 introduced by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), residents are accessing sustainable water sources and embracing farming as an alternative livelihood.
Droughts that once occurred every five years now strike annually, with the most recent starting in 2020 and killing half a million livestock by mid-2022. Residents had grown accustomed to walking long distances searching for water, often returning home physically drained but mentally determined. Now, the scorching sun that once symbolized hardship has become a source of hope.
In Lochorodome village — near Kakuma, women clad 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, recounts 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 allow 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 Kakuma refugee camp residents, creating an additional income stream. So far, the project has benefited 5,000 people — 1,300 directly and 3,700 indirectly — by providing clean water and supporting farming activities.
Expanding Impact Across Turkana
In Nawountos, about 100 kilometers from Kakuma, a similar project supports local farms. Here, Halima Ing’olan — a mother of six — oversees irrigation efforts. She notes 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. She adds that the new knowledge has inspired the community to aim for wider markets. However, she urges authorities to improve local infrastructure to facilitate transporting their produce.
Makhale Shadrack, the Operations Officer at Kakuma Town Water Services, explains the technology behind the solar-powered water 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 urgency of adaptation. “With failed rains displacing over half a million people, we introduced 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 emphasises 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 bridge that gap by providing reliable water and empowering residents to grow their food.
The IOM’s solar-powered water initiatives symbolise a new era for Turkana. By harnessing the sun's power, the region is addressing immediate needs and 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.