By Emmanuel Longoko
Water is life, yet for many people living in Kakuma and Kalobeyei in Turkana County, access to adequate and reliable water remains a daily struggle. In this arid region of north-western Kenya, refugees, asylum seekers and members of the host community depend heavily on limited water infrastructure to meet basic household, health, sanitation and livelihood needs.
The challenge is not new, but it is becoming increasingly urgent. In April 2026, residents of Kakuma and the surrounding host communities called for increased investment in water services during Turkana County's public budget consultations. Residents of Lonyuduk in Kalobeyei Ward reported walking several kilometres in search of water, while residents of Nawotom raised concerns about inadequate water infrastructure for both people and livestock.
Why Is Water Scarce in Kakuma and Kalobeyei?
Kakuma and Kalobeyei are located in a predominantly arid and semi-arid environment where rainfall is limited and unreliable. Communities therefore rely heavily on groundwater and boreholes. This makes water infrastructure, pumping systems, energy supply and proper maintenance extremely important.
The environmental conditions also increase pressure on existing water sources. Years of humanitarian settlement, population growth and the expansion of host communities have increased demand for water. UNHCR describes access to safe water as one of the critical needs for refugees and host communities in the area.
The problem is not simply the absence of water. It is also about whether existing water systems can produce, treat, distribute and sustain enough water for a growing population.
The Human Cost of Water Shortages
For families, water scarcity means difficult choices. People may have to spend hours searching for water instead of working, studying or caring for their families. Women, girls and children can carry a particularly heavy burden when households must travel long distances to collect water.
In some host-community areas, the challenge is even more severe. Residents have reported travelling long distances to access water, including communities where people and livestock may depend on distant sources.
Water shortages also affect hygiene and sanitation. When water is insufficient, households may struggle to maintain proper handwashing, bathing, cleaning and sanitation practices. This can increase vulnerability to water-related diseases and create additional pressure on already limited health services.
Schools Are Also Affected
Water scarcity has serious consequences for education.
Schools need water for drinking, handwashing, cleaning classrooms, maintaining toilets and supporting a healthy learning environment. When water is unavailable, learners may face uncomfortable and unsafe conditions. In communities where children are expected to help their families collect water, shortages can also interfere with attendance and study time.
For schools in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, investing in reliable water systems should therefore be viewed not only as a WASH intervention but also as an investment in education and child protection.
Water Scarcity Affects Livelihoods
Water is equally important for livelihoods.
Host communities and refugees depend on water for livestock, small-scale agriculture, businesses and other income-generating activities. Insufficient water can reduce household productivity and increase competition over scarce resources.
The World Bank notes that refugees and host communities in Kenya are increasingly sharing already under-resourced infrastructure, including water systems, while facing significant poverty and climate-related pressures.
This means that improving water access is essential for both humanitarian assistance and long-term economic development.
What Can Be Done?
Addressing water scarcity in Kakuma and Kalobeyei requires a long-term approach rather than relying only on emergency water trucking or short-term interventions.
1. Invest in more sustainable water infrastructure
Additional boreholes, storage tanks, pipelines and distribution points can help expand access, particularly in underserved host-community areas.
2. Expand solar-powered water systems
Solar pumping can reduce dependence on expensive diesel fuel. Previous work in Kakuma has demonstrated the potential of solar-powered pumping to reduce operating costs.
3. Strengthen maintenance of existing systems
Constructing water infrastructure is only part of the solution. Pumps, pipelines, tanks and treatment systems need regular maintenance, spare parts and qualified technicians.
4. Improve water conservation
Households, schools and institutions should be encouraged to use water efficiently and protect existing water sources from contamination.
5. Prioritize host communities alongside refugee settlements
Water interventions should benefit both refugees and their Turkana host communities. This is essential for social cohesion and equitable development. The K-WASH programme, for example, was designed to improve sustainable water access in refugee-hosting areas of Turkana and aligns with longer-term integration approaches.
6. Strengthen climate-resilient planning
Water development in Kakuma and Kalobeyei must consider drought, unpredictable rainfall and the wider effects of climate change. Investments should be designed to remain functional during periods of severe water stress.
A Shared Responsibility
The water crisis in Kakuma and Kalobeyei cannot be solved by one organization alone. The Turkana County Government, Government of Kenya, Department of Refugee Services, UNHCR, development partners, humanitarian organizations, private sector and local communities all have important roles to play.
UNHCR and its partners continue to support access to water and other essential services, but sustained investment is necessary as humanitarian funding comes under increasing pressure.
Water should not be viewed as a temporary humanitarian commodity. It is a foundation for health, education, dignity, peace and economic development.
Conclusion: Water Is More Than a Basic Need
The people of Kakuma and Kalobeyei have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite living in one of Kenya's most challenging environments. But resilience should not mean that communities must permanently live with inadequate access to basic necessities.
Every kilometre a mother walks for water, every lesson interrupted because a school lacks water, and every livestock owner struggling to find water represents a development challenge that deserves attention.
The future of Kakuma and Kalobeyei requires reliable, affordable, sustainable and equitable access to water.
Investing in water today means investing in healthier families, stronger schools, productive communities and a more dignified future for both refugees and host communities.
Water is life. For Kakuma and Kalobeyei, securing that life must remain a priority.
