About National Water
Who we are
The Water Act No. 43 of 2016 came into effect on 21st April, 2017 and therein established the National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority. (NWHSA)
Our Mandate
Undertake on behalf of the national government, the development of national public water works for water…
Our Projects
“Developing and managing national water works infrastructure towards enhancing water security, flood mitigation and storage for multipurpose use.”
Latest News
January 15, 2025Siyoi-Muruny’ dam in West Pokot County is currently at 78% complete. Water CS Eng. Eric Mugaa while on an inspection tour of the project said the government has prioritized the completion of the project which is long overdue because of funding challenges.
The CS pointed out that the project is on course to completion by mid this year having been allocated 900 million shillings during this Financial Year. He urged the contractor to expediate work to avoid further delays.
Eng. Mugaa expressed optimism regarding funding of water projects noting that The Water (Amendment) Act, 2024 which was signed by the President in December last year, provides for public-private partnerships in financing the development of water works by National Government agencies.
Additionally, Eng. Mugaa said the Kenya National Water and Sanitation Investment and Financing Plan (NAWASIP) aims at aggregating the water and sanitation investment and financing plans. The program will be implemented by building small dams, boreholes, water service lines extension and sanitation facilities in rural areas.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said the County is ready to make maximum use of the water once the dam is complete. Hon. Kachapin added that the water will improve livelihoods of area residents noting that water is an enabler to good health, food security and peace.
Authority’s Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru said the Authority is committed to its mandate of water harvesting and storage which include impounding of surface runoff, roof rain water harvesting and stored in tanks, pans or farm retention structures, sub-surface dams, ground water recharge in aquifers and sand dams.
The CS was accompanied by West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, County Commissioner Abdullai Khalif, Authority’s Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru, Directors Kipseng’ret Koros, Benjamin Mwololo, Rogers Chepkwony’ and Symon Nguki. Also present were the Ag. CEO Eng. Julius Mugun, County officials, the administration and members of the community. [...]
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January 14, 2025During the assessment of the Siyoi-Muruny’ water supply project. Water Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa noted that the project is currently at 97% complete. He asked the contractor to finalize the few remaining works so that water distribution kick off immediately the dam is complete mid this year.Eng. Mugaa asked administration to work closely with the community and the contractor to ensure dam structures are safe from any vandalism.Governor Kachapin thanked the CS and National Water for their commitment to complete the project saying the County through Kapenguria Water and Sanitation Company has put in place measures to absorb the huge quantities of water that will be pumped from the dam daily.The water supply component covers the entire Kapenguria and South Pokot Constituencies with bulk water transmission and distribution pipelines along Kapenguria, Makutano, Chepkono, Paraywa, Chepyomet, Kaibos, Siyoi, Chepararia, Pertum, Korelach, Kapkoris, Nasokal, Chewoyet, Keringet, Karas, Murkwijit and Kishaunet.The water supply component consists of a conventional Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Kabichbich center with a capacity of 38,800m3/day and conveyance system supplying potable water to Kapenguria and South Pokot Constituencies. It is also composed of twelve water storage tanks with storage capacities ranging from 4000m3 to 200m3 giving a cumulative storage capacity of 17, 865 million litres of water.
The project will supply potable water to 350,000 persons of West Pokot County. [...]
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January 14, 2025During the inspection tour of River Sabwani flood control project, Water Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa noted that National Water Authority has constructed 1.8 kilometers of dykes along River Sabwani. This has protected over 400 families and over 1000 acres of land that farmers now do various farm activities hence improved livelihoods.The CS appreciated the critical role that the dykes along River Sabwani play in protecting lives, property, farms and other infrastructure.Members of the community thanked National Water for the great works on the dyke saying they are now able to continue with their farming activities without disruption. They however, urged the Authority to extend the dyke so as to cover downstream and tame water from River Chemususu.CS Mugaa urged the community to be patient as the Government works on the flood control systems in phases due to budgetary constraints. He urged members of the community to protect the dykes and avoid planting trees along the embankments of the dykes as this will destroy the dyke and waste public resources.Eng. Mugaa reiterated the agricultural potential of Trans-Nzoia County especially through irrigation. “The Ministry through the State Department for Irrigation targets to put 1.2 million acres of land under irrigation by 2030. Currently, Irrigated land is at 776,000 acres.River Sabwani flood control is located in Trans-Nzoia County. The river falls within the River Nzoia drainage basin located in western Kenya and has its headwaters in the Cherangany’ hills, with tributaries from Mount Elgon, and flows into Lake Victoria just north of Yala Swamp. The Nzoia catchment has an area of 12 ,700 km2 which lies in an agriculturally productive area of Kenya, the main crops being cotton, maize and sugar cane.Demand for irrigation water is highest during the dry season and irrigation is carried out on a small to medium scale within the area.The CS was accompanied by the County Commissioner Mr. Gideon Oyagi, Authority’s Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru, Directors Kipseng’eret Koros, Benjamin Mwololo, Symon Ngugi and Rogers Chepkwony’. Also present was the Authority’s Ag. CEO Eng. Julius Mugun, area MCA the Administration officials, and residents of Namanjalala. [...]
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December 23, 2024Uasin Gishu Governor H.E Dr Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim and NWHSA Ag. CEO Eng. Julius Mugun signed an MOU on the development and management of water infrastructure in the County of Uasin Gishu.
Present to witness the signing were the Authority’s Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru, Director Dr. Kipseng’eret Koros, and managers Ms. Sharon Obonyo and Mr. George Nyabicha who will ensure that NWHSA facilitates the provision of expertise towards the attainment of all set objectives in the MOU which include:a. Designing & Development of water infrastructure including desilting of dams;b. Enhancing water security and storage;c. Provision of good management of water services as a mitigation of drought and flood effects in a sustainable mannerd. Survey, Design and Construction of dams for water supply, sewerage & Irrigation;e. Creating effective schemes of flood control by land drainage and construction of dykes;f. Maintenance of existing and expanding bulk water supply to water service and other water service providers;g. Drilling, test pumping, and equipping boreholesh. Bridging the gap between the demand and supply of water;i. Any other areas of co-operation aimed at promoting and facilitating development and management of water infrastructure as agreed upon by the Parties from time to time.Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to which prioritizes water as a critical driver of socio-economic development. “This partnership is a testament to our dedication to ensuring that every resident has access to adequate and sustainable water resources. By desilting dams to restore their capacity and constructing new water infrastructure, we aim to support agriculture, improve livelihoods and strengthen our county’s resilience to climate change,” said Governor Bii.Present from the County Government of Uasin Gishu were Dr. Sam Kottut Kipkemboi PhD, CECM for Water, Irrigation, Sanitation, Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change, Mr Elijah K. Koech CO for Water, Irrigation and Sanitation among others. [...]
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December 3, 2024Conservation of water catchments through tree planting is essential for maintaining water quality and quantity. First, tree planting prevents soil erosion by stabilizing the soil with their root systems while retaining moisture and preventing sediment from getting into the dam reservoir. Secondly, tree growing plays an important role in groundwater recharge. Tree roots enhance permeability of the soil by allowing rainwater to seep to the ground.
It is on this premise that we have started the tree growing exercise at the Umaa Dam water catchment area in Kitui County. During the November short rains, we planted over 500 indigenous trees at the dam catchment in partnership with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), who donated the seedlings.
This will contribute to the National Tree Restoration campaign that targets to grow 15 billion trees by 2032.The exercise was led by Kitui Central DCC Dorcas Rono. Ms. Rono emphasized the role of trees in combating effects of climate change urging the community and all stakeholders to take advantage of the ongoing rains to plant more trees and take care of them to ensure they grow.The resident Engineer Kaluku said the Authority in partnership with KEFRI, the community and other stakeholders will plant more trees along the dam catchment area to ensure water feeding the dam is clean and the underground water is recharged.
Environment and Social Safeguards Manager Mr. George Macharia thanked KEFRI for the seedlings and all stakeholders who turned up for the noble exercise. He noted the vital role that trees play in preventing soil erosion hence reduced siltation in the dam. He added that trees help to reduce surface run-off by intercepting rainwater and slowing down its flow hence allowing it to infiltrate into the soil. In addition, trees help to create a humid weather that is conducive for water retention.
Also present were senior staff from the Authority, the Administration, KEFRI staff, the community led by its committee and the team from the contractor.As an Authority mandated to undertake on behalf of the national government, the development of national public water works for water resources storage and flood control, we appreciate the role that trees play in protection of vital water resources and promotion of long-term environmental sustainability.
Tree planting Umaa [...]
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November 20, 2024Water CS. Eng. Eric Mugaa assessed the implementation progress of Umaa Dam in Kitui County recently. He reiterated the commitment of the government to ensure the project currently at 73.4 % is complete as scheduled.
During the project inspection tour, CS. Mugaa said the project monitoring exercise is crucial to ensure mistakes done in the past are not repeated. In the dynamic and demanding world of construction, regular monitoring is the cornerstone of successful project management, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. The CS noted that all the stages of dam construction starting with problem identification, design, planning and actual construction play a critical role in timely completing of the project.
“The success of a project is measured by project completion, attainment of project goals achieved within the budget, time scope and meets the quality standards, technical requirements, environmental and safety requirements as measures of successful project completion.” Eng. Mugaa.The CS noted that the progress of works is on course where the coffer dam is complete and grouting work is ongoing. He urged the Authority which is the implementing agency to utilize the ongoing short rains by planting trees along the water catchment area of the dam to ensure sustainable environmental conservation.
Earlier, the CS paid a courtesy call to Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe. The CS said water is a shared function between the National and the County governments hence the need for collaboration to ensure increased access and minimal loses due to non- revenue water.Eng. Mugaa added that the Ministry has established an intergovernmental framework of engagement by the two levels of governments.Governor Malombe thanked the CS and the National Government for their support. He added that once Umaa Dam is complete, it will create more business opportunities for the people of Kitui and improve their livelihoods.
Authority’s Ag. Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius Mugun briefed the CS on the progress of the project. He said the 1.9-billion-shilling project located along River Nzeu in Kitui County has a capacity of 1.2 billion liters of water with a supply of 2, 650,000 litres per day to serve 75,000 people.
The CS also toured Maruba Dam in Machakos and Kalundu dam in Kitui counties; projects constructed by the Authority. He was accompanied by the Secretary Administration Kipkemei Yatich; State Department for Irrigation, Authority’s Directors Benjamin Mwololo, Rogers Chepkwony’ and Symon Mwihaki. Also present was the Ag. CEO Eng. Julius Mugun, senior staff and the local Administration.
CS Mugaa at Umaa dam site new [...]
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National Water Authority
Launch of the extension of River Nzoia secondary dyke by President William Samoei Ruto in Mabinju, Budalangi.
H.E Ruto launched the extension of secondary dyke for River Nzoia Flood Control Project, Budalang’i
EARLIER: President William Ruto launched the extension of a secondary dyke for River Nzoia Flood Control Project in Budalang’i, Busia CountyConnect with KBC ...
National Water Authority
With the effects of climate change; floods and drought. We are commited to enhance construction of flood control systems to mitigate against these effects. Kithure
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