Underground water has been discovered in Lotikipi in Turkana. The water is 200 billion cubic meters in volume, enough to power the whole country for at least 70 years. The water aquifer is more than the combined water reservoirs in Kenya. Water experts also note that the water could be self replenishing if harnessed in the correct manner, as it is drawn from mountains. In January 2012, oil was struck in Turkana, whose production is expected to begin in the next three to four years time. W8ind is also a major resource in the region, and a wind renewable energy company- Blue Seas technologies, is set to start harnessing wind power in the region. Geology experts have estimated that the northern Kenya region, through to Somalia, to Tanzania and Mozambique is likely sitting on huge hydrocarbon deposits such as gas, which if exploited could see the region become the next energy frontier.
Currently, Turkana is one of the least developed places in Kenya, and suffers from perennial droughts and famine. According to the new constitution, a county must get at least a percentage of revenues which are drawn from the resources exploited within the county. If all the resources are harnessed meaningfully, the region could move from being an under resourced poor county, to being the richest in the country, and hopefully also lift thousands of locals' lives out of poverty.
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