The County Government has won public backing for a proposed storm water drainage project in Lodwar Municipality, following a public participation forum where officials presented findings from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out ahead of the project’s rollout.
The initiative, to be implemented by consulting firm Avatech, aims to improve storm water management, safeguard roads and riverbanks, and boost the safety and cleanliness of the municipality by cutting down flood damage to homes, businesses, and public facilities.
Addressing the forum, Turkana Central Sub-County Administrator Esther Kiyong’a called on residents to support the project, acknowledging that construction would bring short-term disruption but insisting the long-term gains would be worth it.
“This project is intended to improve the lives of residents by reducing flooding and creating a safer urban environment. We ask the public to continue supporting development initiatives that will benefit future generations,” she said.
Deputy Municipal Manager Simon Nang’iro said public participation remains central to the EIA process, ensuring community input feeds directly into project planning and supports sustainable urban development.
“The views collected today will help shape the final project design and ensure it responds to the needs of the people,” he said.
Florence Muthui, representing Avatech Consultants Limited, assured residents that the project would meet national environmental laws as well as internationally recognized environmental and social safeguards.
Residents at the forum welcomed the project, saying better drainage infrastructure would ease flooding, protect property and businesses, and improve movement around the municipality.
They urged continued engagement with stakeholders throughout implementation and called for quality construction to guarantee the project’s durability.
Their input, gathered through questionnaires and stakeholder discussions, will feed into the final EIA report ahead of the project’s implementation.
The forum was attended by Avatech Consultants officials Allan Oundo, Julius Musili, Harriet Moraa, and John Etir, alongside Lodwar Municipality Social Protection Officer Richard Epae.
By Peter Gitonga
