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| Kenya aquifer discovered in dry Turkana region | Kenya aquifer discovered in dry Turkana region |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A huge water source has been discovered in the arid Turkana region of northern Kenya, which could supply the country for 70 years, the government says. | A huge water source has been discovered in the arid Turkana region of northern Kenya, which could supply the country for 70 years, the government says. |
| The discovery brings hope to the drought-hit region, tweeted Environment Minister Judi Wakhungu. | The discovery brings hope to the drought-hit region, tweeted Environment Minister Judi Wakhungu. |
| The Lotikipi Basin Aquifer was found using satellites and radar. | The Lotikipi Basin Aquifer was found using satellites and radar. |
| Last year, scientists released a map detailing the vast reservoirs which lie under much of Africa. | Last year, scientists released a map detailing the vast reservoirs which lie under much of Africa. |
| Another aquifer was found in Namibia - the continent's driest country. | Another aquifer was found in Namibia - the continent's driest country. |
| Turkana is one of the hottest, driest and poorest parts of Kenya and was hit by a devastating drought last year. | Turkana is one of the hottest, driest and poorest parts of Kenya and was hit by a devastating drought last year. |
| Many of the region's inhabitants are nomadic herders, who are especially vulnerable to a lack of rain. | Many of the region's inhabitants are nomadic herders, who are especially vulnerable to a lack of rain. |
| Test drilling confirmed there was water under the ground. | |
| The discovery was announced by Ms Wakhungu at a meeting of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Unesco. | The discovery was announced by Ms Wakhungu at a meeting of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Unesco. |
| "This newly found wealth of water opens a door to a more prosperous future for the people of Turkana and the nation as a whole. We must now work to further explore these resources responsibly and safeguard them for future generations," she said. | "This newly found wealth of water opens a door to a more prosperous future for the people of Turkana and the nation as a whole. We must now work to further explore these resources responsibly and safeguard them for future generations," she said. |
| The aquifer is said to hold some 200bn cubic metres of water. | |
| According to Unesco, about 17 million of Kenya's 41 million people lack access to safe water. | According to Unesco, about 17 million of Kenya's 41 million people lack access to safe water. |