Modern technologies for desalination and development of Turkana Aquifers using PPP model

The Kenya Kwanza Government promised to adopt a Public-Private-Partnership model to develop modern technologies for desalination for irrigation.

• As of May 2025, Turkana County has begun installing sensors (divers) in some boreholes tapping aquifers in Lodwar (Napuu, Nakwamewi, Moi Gardens, and Nadapal) for continuous measurement of groundwater levels, temperature, water quality, etc., to inform long‐term management.
• In Lamu, Rasli Bahari Kenya Ltd is set to construct a PPP desalination plant valued at KES 103.3 billion (roughly), with a 30:70 equity-to-debt ratio. The Lamu County government, with ENI/Agip, established a smaller-scale solar desalination plant (KES 20 million) in Siyu Village (Lamu East), now operational for subsistence water needs.
• The Sabaki Water Carrier (Baricho aquifer abstraction, treatment, storage, network, etc.) was cleared by the PPP Directorate in February 2025 to move into contract negotiations with Utility Partners One LLP.
• Despite the announcement of the Lamu PPP desalination plant (RBKL, KES 103.3 billion), no source confirms that the project has reached financial close (i.e., legally binding financing contracts in place, all risk allocations agreed, etc.).
• The Lotikipi aquifer water in Turkana is highly saline and fluoridated, meaning treatment (desalination, fluoride removal) is expensive.
• Projects often take longer than planned (due to material supply delays, budget revisions, and procurement delays).