Turkana water utility adopts digital system to improve borehole monitoring

Turkana County is moving towards technology-driven water management following the training of technical staff from Turkana Water and Sewerage Company (TURWASCO) on a digital platform designed to improve borehole monitoring, water service delivery and drought preparedness.

The two-day training, conducted on November 2 and 3, 2026, by the Water Sector Trust Fund (WaterFund), equipped TURWASCO staff with practical skills to operate a web-based Management Information System (MIS) and Decision Support System (DSS).

The initiative is part of the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project (HoAGW4RP), which seeks to strengthen groundwater management and improve water security in drought-prone areas.

The digital platform has been developed by WaterFund through Sufuri Digital Media Limited to improve the collection, management and use of water-related information across five counties under the Northern Kenya Development Initiative (NEDI).

The counties are expected to benefit from improved monitoring of boreholes, better tracking of water services and access to reliable information to guide planning and operational decisions.

During the training in Turkana, participants were introduced to the platform’s different functionalities, including data capture, validation and management. The sessions also focused on how technical teams can use the system to improve the accuracy and accessibility of information on water infrastructure and service delivery.

A major component of the exercise involved field testing, where participants gained hands-on experience in collecting and entering water-related information directly into the digital platform.

The practical sessions allowed TURWASCO’s technical staff to apply the skills acquired during the training and understand how information gathered from water facilities can be integrated into the centralised system.

The use of real-time field data is expected to improve the flow of information between field personnel and water service management teams, enabling faster reporting and better-informed decisions.

The training also included data validation exercises to strengthen the reliability of information entered into the system. Accurate data is essential for water utilities to establish the operational status of infrastructure, identify service delivery challenges and prioritise maintenance interventions.

County-specific action planning was another key component of the programme, with participants discussing practical measures for adopting and integrating the digital system into Turkana’s existing water service delivery structures.

The platform is expected to provide a centralised source of information on borehole functionality and water service performance, helping technical teams monitor infrastructure and identify facilities requiring attention.

Its Decision Support System component is also intended to support planning by making relevant water information more accessible to decision-makers. This could be particularly important in Turkana, where communities depend heavily on groundwater sources to meet domestic and other water needs.

In drought-prone areas, reliable information on the condition and performance of boreholes can help authorities identify vulnerable water supply points and plan appropriate interventions before shortages become severe.

The system is therefore expected to strengthen drought preparedness by supporting timely access to information needed for water resource planning and emergency responses.

For TURWASCO, the adoption of the platform is expected to improve institutional capacity through better data management, stronger monitoring systems and more efficient operational planning.

The initiative also reflects a broader shift towards digital solutions in Kenya’s water sector, where water institutions are increasingly seeking ways to improve infrastructure management, accountability and service delivery through technology.

By equipping technical personnel with the skills to operate the MIS and DSS, WaterFund is seeking to ensure that the technology translates into practical improvements in water management rather than remaining a standalone digital investment.

Successful implementation will, however, depend on consistent data collection, regular system updates and the integration of the platform into the company’s routine operations.

The Turkana training forms part of the wider effort under HoAGW4RP to strengthen groundwater management and build more resilient water systems across Northern Kenya, particularly in communities exposed to recurring drought and unreliable water supplies.