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
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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November 13, 2024The Authority recently held a consultative meeting with the Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya (ACEK). The discussions centered on areas of partnership and collaboration between the two institutions.
While welcoming the ACEK team led by the Chairperson Eng. Jane Mutulili, Ag. Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius Mugun expressed his gratitude and called for cooperation with the Association noting that the objective of ACEK is to promote the advancement of the professionalism of Consulting Engineers by associating together for consultation and co-operation. This involves all engineering roles and providing facilities for Government, Public Bodies, and Associations. Representatives of Industry and Trade and others to confer with consulting engineers as a body and ascertain their collective views.
Following the deliberations, they agreed to initiate further discussions that would redefine the core areas of collaboration by aligning ACEK’s Vision with our mandate; initiate capacity building training programs; provide technical expertise & advisory services, plan for joint research & innovative sustainable solutions; and foster networking & collaboration.
Eng. Mutulili reiterated the role of ACEK in supporting Consulting Engineers with practical industry needs. It has a membership of 115 full members, 98 Consulting Engineering firms drawn from various engineering disciplines and 363 Future Leaders comprising of the under 40-year engineers.
This collaboration presents the opportunity to have joint technical teams visit our projects, participate in ACEK organized conferences where our technical staff would present papers and publish in ACEK publications with over 20,000 circulations.
Also present from ACEK included Eng. Dick Ndiewo, Council Member & Committee Chair, Finance and Conference; Eng. Paul Ochola, Council Member & Committee Chair, Research and Publications; Eng. Barbara Adhoch; Chief Executive Officer and Martha Mutei; Capacity Building & Training Officer. Team from the Authority comprised of George Nyabicha, Robert Nthenge, Paul Aswani and Wilfred Munyiri.
ACEK meeting new [...]
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November 5, 2024The Hydromet Conference with the theme “Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative: The Imperative for Sustainable Water Resources Management in the Region” kicked off on 4th November, 2024 in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.The main objective of conference was to explore areas of collaboration and increase regional synergies to improve Hydromet and early warning services in Ethiopia and East Africa.
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Temesgen Truneh opened the conference officially yesterday. He reiterated that the initiative plays a key role in improving forest cover hence restoring water bodies, recharging ground water and protecting soil erosion.
Mr. Temesgen added that 40 billion seedlings have been planted over the past six years through the program. This has created positive impact on the environment and other benefits like food security and job creation. He noted the need for reliable early warning system to mitigate against effects of climate change.
The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Mugaa emphasized the need for sustainable management of water so as to achieve economic stability, and social equity. “As we experience the effects of climate change and pressure on the scarce water resources due to increasing population and high demand for water, it is time to take concerted action towards sustainable water resources management.” Eng. Mugaa added that there is need to invest more on new water technologies and innovations such as real-time monitoring systems to achieve sustainable water resources management, protect water sources and sustainable infrastructure.
National Water Authority’s Ag. Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius Mugun represented the CS at the conference.The conference which is organized by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) is bringing together different stakeholders that include ministers, leaders of water sector institutions and climate actions, representatives from hydrometeorological, early warning and climate service providers, development agencies, regional and global research institutions, and academia.
Hydromet conference [...]
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October 30, 2024Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho held a meeting with the Board and staff of the Authority to track progress of projects and general operations of the Authority with an aim of shared Vision and collective responsibility in discharging the mandate of the State Department for Irrigation. The PS thanked the Authority for implementing projects that have had a huge positive impact in the community especially the flood control projects.
CPA Kimotho reiterated the mandate of the Irrigation Department; to increase area under irrigation which is around 700, 000 acres by 500,000 acres every five years up to 2032, water storage, flood control and food production.“Synergy between the two agencies in the Department; National Irrigation Authority and National Water Authority is paramount for our success in discharging our mandate.” PS Kimotho.
The PS noted that for the Department to achieve this, there need for more water storage through National Water. He pointed out that the key projects like Siyoi-Muruny dam in West Pokot, Umaa Dam in Kitui, Soin-Koru Dam in Kericho and Kisumu and Boston Dam in Bomet as projects of priority. Kimotho said the current water storage by the State Department for Irrigation is 55Mm3 and targets to increase this to 440Mm3 by 2027 and 1 billion m3 by 2032. He was accompanied by the Irrigation Secretary, Eng. Vincent Kabuti, OGW, Secretary for Administration, Kipkemei Yatich, MBS, and Director of Land Reclamation, Thandi Githae.
The Authority’s Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru thanked the PS for his support especially in lobbying for funds to ensure projects being implemented by the Authority proceed to completion. CPA Kimaru said the board is keen to ensure the recently launched Strategic Plan is implemented fully. Hence, the team shall work closely with the PS and the Ministry’s leadership to achieve set goals and targets. The Chairman was accompanied by the Board of Directors Kipseng’eret Koros, Benjamin Mwololo, Amina Mohamed, Rogers Chepkwony’, Thandi Githae, Symon Mwihaki and Leonard Maritim.
Ag. CEO Eng. Julius Mugun welcomed the PS thanking him for his support and leadership in the Department for Irrigation. Eng. Mugun briefed the PS on the Authority’s projects, achievements, plans and challenges. He committed that management will do its part to ensure improved service delivery and provision of water for drought mitigation, flood control and irrigation adding that the Authority is already exploring the potential of underground water in ASAL areas as directed by the CS.
PS Kimotho asses progress of Authority’s projects [...]
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October 25, 2024The Authority launched its Strategic Plan 2023-2027 on 23rd October 2024 in a colorful ceremony presided over the Water Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa.
The CS highlighted that the Plan acknowledges numerous challenges that the country is facing led by effects of climate change hence the plan is aligned to address these challenges. He urged the Authority to look into ground water exploration e.g. Lotikipi plains in Turkana north, Marsabit County acquifers eg Odda well fields expansion, harness the ground water in Wajir county and Garissa along the Lorian Swamp where all the Ewaso Ngiro North watershed pours into.“If this Authority can venture well into these areas, I am sure many infrastructures like LAPPSET which has a combination of railways, roads, oil pipelines and many others can take off easily for water is a development enabler.” Eng. Mugaa.The Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho said the Authority’s Strategic Plan is critical in provision of water to irrigate 22,570 hectares of land hence will contribute immensely to food security.
The Chairman of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Hon. Kangogo Bowen pointed out that the Authority is a strategic Agency of the Ministry of Water in water harvesting and storage with a big portfolio of assets, well trained technical staff and has implemented key water infrastructure across the country.
Authority’s Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru said the Plan was reviewed to align to the aspirations of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) where water is a key enabler of the pillars of BETA. “To meet the water demand and realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Authority endeavors to develop water harvesting and storage infrastructure for multi-purpose use.” CPA Kimaru.
Ag. Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius Mugun highlighted the specific Strategic Objectives that will play a pivotal role in the implementation and realization of the Plan as follows.
Increase water storage capacity for irrigation in the country by 125 million cubic meters by the year 2027 and enhance sustainability of constructed water structures through operations and maintenance.
Protect and save lives and property from the effects of floods and drought through the construction and maintenance of 96km of dykes and 45km of river training structures, construction of 360 small pans / dams and drilling of 203 boreholes.
Ensure provision of accurate and timely data for decision making.
Enhance partnerships and financial sustainability.
Enhance institutional capacity for effective service delivery.
CS Mugaa on funding of the Strategic Plan [...]
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National Water Authority
Kalundu Dam in Kitui County currently spilling. The dam has a capacity of 500,000m3 . The purpose of the dam along Kalundu River is to
National Water Authority
CONSERVING UMAA DAM WATER CATCHMENT AREA THROUGH TREE GROWING Today, we planted over 500 indigenous trees at Umaa dam catchment area in Kitui County in
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