In pictures: Kenya's huge water find in Turkana

Water gushing out of a borehole at Napuu area during the flushing process, Kenya

A huge water source has been discovered in the arid Turkana region of northern Kenya, the East African nation's government has announced.

A Kenyan police reservist delivers clean water to a thirsty child at the Lotikipi Borehole

It estimates the two aquifers found in the the Turkana Basin and Lotikipi Basin, using satellites and radar, could supply the country for 70 years.

A typical Turkana homestead, Kenya

Turkana is one of the hottest, driest and poorest parts of Kenya and was hit by a devastating drought last year. According to the UN, about 17 million of Kenya's 41 million people lack access to safe water.

Local pastoralists lead their livestock to the water draining from the borehole, Kenya

Many of Turkana's inhabitants are nomadic herders, who are especially vulnerable to a lack of rain. Water for livestock is as high a priority as water for humans. Fighting over resources like water has been the main source of conflict in many arid areas of country.

Technicians install a submersible pump in a borehole prior to test pumping, Turkana, Kenya

The water discovery was announced at the opening of an international water security conference in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, organised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Unesco. It spearheaded the ground water mapping project in partnership with the government and with the financial support of Japan.

Drilling technicians loading an extra drilling rod to the drilling rig, Turkana, Kenya

"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," said Kenya's Environment Minister Judi Wakhungu. The aquifers are said to hold some 250bn cubic metres of water and Ms Wakhungu said Kenya currently uses about 3bn cubic metres a year.

Community members from Nadapal village in Kakuma discuss on planned drilling of wells, Kenya

The minister said the first priority was to supply water to the people of the area. "We're hoping with the two test boreholes, the water should be available within a month," she said.

A member of the refugee community at the Kakuma refugee camp watering his vegetables, Turkana, Kenya

Using the water for irrigation and industry would also be considered, Ms Wakhungu said. Massive oil deposits have also recently been discovered in Turkana.

A Turkana elder delivering his views before commencement of the drilling exercise

The BBC's Angela Ng'endo says despite Turkana's burgeoning wealth, the region's inhabitants have always felt marginalised. The non-governmental organisation Friends of Lake Turkana is urging the government to engage more with local communities about how the water will be used in future.

A Turkana Woman scoops water from the sandy bed of River Taraj for her goats, Kenya

"It is critical for governments to realise they don't come up with programmes without community ownership… and linking it to economic development," Friends of Lake Turkana's Ikal Anglei said.