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 30, 2025The Authority was evaluated on the Performance Contract (PC) for the Financial Year 2023/2024 on 28th January, 2025 in an exercise conducted by the Public Service Performance Management Unit (PSPMU).
The Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, Performance & Delivery Management Mr. Eliud Owalo graced the evaluation exercise. Mr. Owalo pointed out that the Authority plays an integral role in the National Development Agenda by providing water for irrigation. He added that performance management shall be aligned to reward management and government policy framework emphasizing the role of technology and innovation as essential elements for improved service delivery.
Authority’s Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru said the Board has a responsibility to provide leadership in designing suitable plans & strategies for sustainable socio- economic development while ensuring its Strategic Plan & Performance Contract delivers set targets.
CPA Kimaru outlined the key strategic objective of the Authority to increase water storage capacity for irrigation in the country by 453 Mm³ by the year 2027. Other objectives include to enhance sustainability of constructed water structures and drought management, protection of lives and property through flood control measures, enhance partnerships and financial sustainability for effective and efficient service delivery.
Ag. Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius Mugun highlighted the projects that were implemented by the Authority during the Financial Year 2023-2024 noting that the Authority considered the effects of climate change hence put in place water harvesting, storage and flood control measures. He added that the Authority is committed to the attainment of Performance Contracting targets especially on the implementation of the Authority’s Mandate; to undertake on behalf of the National Government, the development, management and maintenance of national public water works for water resources storage and flood control.
Eng. Mugun said the Authority has also implemented the Presidential Directives especially The National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign which is critical in the restoration and protection of our water catchment areas.
Mr. Ngie said the PSPMU’s mandate is to coordinate the identification of innovative mechanisms to address challenges affecting public service delivery to facilitate smooth operations between Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Additionally, the Unit monitors and evaluates performance to ensure contracting parties are within the parameters of the agreed performance targets while implementing Government’s Priority Programs and Projects.
The exercise was conducted by Mr. Robert Ngei and Melody Nyongesa; Director and Assistant Director of Economic Planning and Performance respectively.
Also present was Director Kipseng’eret Koros; Chair of the Strategy and Business Development Board Committee, officials from the Public Service Performance Management Unit (PSPMU) led by Director Joshua Mwiranga, Senior Management and the Authority’s Performance Contract Secretariat
PC NEW 2 [...]
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January 23, 2025President William Samoei Ruto PhD., C.G.H., launched the extension of the River Nzoia secondary dyke in Budalangi on 22nd January, 2025 at Mabinju, in Budalangi, Busia County.
Speaking during the launch, the President said with the protection from floods, farmers will be able to focus on their farm activities which is critical in food security, creation of jobs and improvement of the economy.
The 3.5-kilometer dyke will mitigate the backflow from the lake thus protecting 70,000 people. It will also reclaim more than 20,000 acres of agricultural land and support social economic activities of approximately 7 billion shillings.
The second phase will directly protect the already affected institutions such as Musoma Primary School, Mau Mau Center, Abandon Fish Collection Centre, Musoma Shopping Centre, Mabinju Fish Banda, and AIC Church Musoma including the neighboring areas from the back flow of the lake.
The Authority is mandated to carry out flood control projects in flood prone areas in Kenya. During the rainy season, River Nzoia in Busia County overflows breaking its banks causing heavy floods in Budalangi constituency. These perennial floods lead to displacement of people, loss of lives and destruction of property and livelihoods. This project is therefore meant to mitigate the negative impacts of flooding within the mentioned areas by extending the dyke.
The Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation through World Bank funded projects carried out the improvement of about 34 km (17 Km on each bank) on both banks of the lower parts of Nzoia River from the Ruambwa Bridge towards Lake Victoria with realignment of some sections.
Some of the observed impact of flood control works in Budalangi include large scale rice farming, the settlement of people and livestock in areas protected by dykes, better infrastructure e.g. roads and bridges like Sigiri bridge, better education facilities like rebuilding of permanent infrastructure in primary and secondary schools and general improved social-economic livelihoods.
The President was accompanied by H.E The Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Hon. Moses Wetangula, E.G.H, Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma, Water CS Eng. Eric Mugaa, Energy CS Hon. James Wandayi, CS Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho, area MP Hon. Raphael Wanjala and Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga among other leaders and dignitaries.
The Authority’s team was led by Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru. Also present were Directors Kipseng’eret Koros, Ian Githae and Amina Mohammed. Management team was led by the Ag. Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius Mugun.
President William Samoei Ruto launches the extension of River Nzoia dyke in Budalangi [...]
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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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National Water Authority
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q45Q7NAAwQI Dykes play a critical role in flood control by containing water from the rivers and managing storm water. This in turn protects homes, infrastructure
Dykes constructed along river Sabwani in Trans Nzoia County to reduce flooding incidences
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National Water Authority
Under the revitalized Irrigation in ASALs pathway, the Plan has outlined various interventions such as rainwater and floodwater harvesting infrastructure, with small and medium storage
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