Background
National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority was established by the Water Act 2016 with a mandate to undertake on behalf of the National Government, the development of national public water works for water resources storage and flood control.
The Authority transitioned from National Water Conservation & Pipeline Corporation (NWCPC), whose main mandate was to develop state schemes and spearhead dam construction for water supply, flood control and other multipurpose uses.
The Constitution of Kenya 2010 Chapter Four on Bill of Rights, Part I Section 43 (1) (d) provides for “the right to clean and safe water in adequate quantities as an economic and social right for every person”. In the Fourth Schedule, the National Government is obligated under Part I, Section 19 to undertake National Public Works. Further, in Section 22 (c) “Protection of Environment and Natural resources and in particular water protection, securing sufficient residual water, hydraulic engineering and the safety of dams”,
Therefore, the Authority under Water Act 2016, is obligated to undertake on behalf of the National Government, the development of national public water works for water resources storage, flood control and drought emergency response.
The Authority has been the leader in water harvesting and storage over the years for all uses. The scope of harvesting and storage is not confined to domestic use only but for all uses creating water security as enshrined in our constitution. We harvest and store water using dams, pans, boreholes and masonry tanks. We have constructed several large, medium and small dams and pans, canals, boreholes and masonry tanks.
We focus on all areas from the populated areas to very low population densities. The Authority has developed water harvesting and storage works all over the country including over 1300 small dams/ water pans in 45 counties and over 2000 boreholes in the ASALs for livestock use. Most importantly, the Authority’s water storage works are also required to cater for the sustenance of minimum river flows within the river ecosystems even in the very dry seasons of the year.
In summary, our mandate is best captured by our slogan; “Hifadhi Maji, Boresha Maisha” (Water Storage for Prosperous life.)