NAIROBI, Kenya, June 19 – Kenya is moving to accelerate the operationalisation of Basin Water Resource Committees (BWRCs) in a bid to address governance gaps that have slowed integrated water resource management despite years of reforms in the sector.
The push emerged during a high-level dialogue held at the close of the Catchment to Tap (C2T) Programme, a five-year initiative supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented by WWF-Kenya in partnership with government agencies, civil society groups and academic institutions.
The programme, which received more than Sh500 million in funding, focused on improving water governance, strengthening catchment management and expanding access to safe and reliable water resources.
Speaking during the forum, Jackson Kiplagat said effective water governance remains critical to Kenya’s development agenda.
“Water security remains central to Kenya’s sustainable development agenda. The operationalisation of Basin Water Resource Committees is critical for strengthening integrated water resources management,” he said.
Stakeholders noted that although BWRCs were provided for under the Water Act 2016 and later incorporated into the Water Resources Regulations 2025, they have yet to become fully operational.
According to Mohammed Shurie, implementation has been delayed by legal and institutional challenges within the existing framework.
“BWRCs were originally assigned both advisory and implementation functions, creating governance conflicts that required legislative amendments,” he said, adding that the proposed changes have already been submitted to Parliament.
Participants called for stronger collaboration between national and county governments, enhanced public participation and clearer roles for institutions involved in water management.
The forum also highlighted the need for sustainable financing mechanisms, including greater private sector involvement through instruments such as green bonds and water stewardship funds.
Eric Mugaa acknowledged challenges facing the sector, including inadequate funding, climate change impacts, political interference and weak sustainability of Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs).
He said the government remains committed to strengthening water governance institutions, improving regulation and expanding water infrastructure.
Among the resolutions adopted were fast-tracking amendments to the Water Act, strengthening cooperation between national and county governments, enhancing stakeholder engagement and accelerating the establishment of Basin Water Resource Committees across the country’s river basins.
Stakeholders said stronger governance structures will be essential to improving water security and ensuring sustainable management of Kenya’s water resources.
