National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority CEO Eng. Julius Mugun speaking during a staff meeting in Kajiado County on July 1, 2026.
More Kenyans are set to benefit from improved access to water as the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA) prepares to scale up dam construction, water harvesting programmes and climate resilience projects in the 2026-27 financial year.
The authority says the new plan will focus on expanding water storage, supporting irrigation, protecting communities from floods and strengthening the country's resilience to climate change.
Chief executive officer Julius Mugun said the authority would build on the gains made during the 2025-26 financial year while positioning itself as a high-performing institution capable of delivering sustainable water infrastructure.
He spoke during a staff meeting in Kiserian, Kajiado county.
"Together, let us deliver lasting impact for the people of Kenya. History will judge us not by the meetings we held or the reports we wrote, but by the lives we improved through secure, sustainable and accessible water," Mugun said.
He said the authority had continued to deliver on its statutory mandate despite operating under constrained resources.
"Despite the challenges, we remained focused on delivering projects that improve livelihoods and strengthen the country's resilience to climate change. Every investment we make is aimed at ensuring more Kenyans have reliable access to water," he said.
Among the authority's major achievements during the 2025-26 financial year was progress on the Siyoi-Muruny Water Project and Umaa Dam, alongside the completion of 76 water supply projects comprising weirs, small earth dams, boreholes and associated water supply systems.
The projects harvested and stored a cumulative 1.196 million cubic metres of water, providing reliable water access to more than 115,000 people while supporting irrigation on more than 12,000 acres to boost food production and household incomes.
The authority also rehabilitated small dams, water pans, boreholes and weirs, restoring an additional 300 million litres of water storage capacity.
Mugun said the rehabilitation programme has benefited more than 125,000 people and an estimated 500,000 livestock by improving access to water in previously underserved areas.
He added that flood control interventions in Budalang'i, River Kuja and West Kano have protected more than 500,000 residents from flooding while reclaiming about 1,000 acres of land for productive use.
The authority also completed feasibility studies and engineering designs for projects planned for implementation during the 2026-27 financial year and established a committee to operationalise bulk water supply as part of efforts to generate additional revenue through Appropriation in Aid.
"We are also strengthening our institution from within through improved governance, digitisation and closer collaboration with county governments and development partners,” Mugun said.
“These reforms are enhancing accountability while supporting national priorities."
He cited the rollout of an online memo system to support paperless communication, expanded public participation during environmental impact assessments and stronger collaboration with county governments and development partners.
The authority said these initiatives have improved compliance with government policies while advancing climate adaptation, food security, universal access to water and job creation.
Mugun said investing in employees remained one of the authority's priorities during the year.
Management enhanced staff welfare through training, equitable access to career development opportunities and improvements to human resource systems.
The authority also secured approvals from the Public Service Commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission for key human resource instruments aimed at strengthening staff welfare, career progression and employee motivation.
"Our people are the foundation of this authority. By investing in staff development and creating a supportive working environment, we are building a team capable of delivering transformative water infrastructure across the country," he said.
He added that the authority had enhanced its corporate image through the facelift of its headquarters, improved branding and the installation of illuminated corporate signage.
Looking ahead, Mugun said the authority will prioritise completion of the Siyoi-Muruny and Umaa dam projects, which are expected to add 10 million cubic metres, equivalent to 10 billion litres, to Kenya's water storage capacity.
It also plans to commence new strategic dam projects expected to add another two million cubic metres of storage while extending access to water to more than 270,000 people.
Other priorities include expanding water harvesting programmes, implementing climate resilience initiatives and developing an in-house digital project management system to strengthen project monitoring.
"The coming financial year is about scaling up our impact. We will pursue innovative financing models, including leveraging the National Infrastructure Fund and bulk water licensing, to ensure we sustainably finance strategic water infrastructure and meet the country's growing demand for water," Mugun said.
According to him, leasing large dam assets will generate revenue to finance future water projects, support the rehabilitation of colonial-era dams and bulk water systems, and enable the Authority to sustainably finance its operations.
As part of broader institutional reforms, the authority will progressively introduce a biometric attendance system integrated with payroll.
Mugun said the system is intended to promote discipline, improve punctuality and strengthen transparency and accountability in attendance management.
"Attendance management is part of building a high-performance culture. The biometric system will enhance transparency and ensure attendance records are accurately integrated into payroll in line with the law and approved human resource policies," he said.
He urged employees to embrace professionalism, integrity, teamwork and innovation, saying every member of staff has a role to play in delivering results.
"As we enter FY 2026-27, let us move forward with renewed energy and shared purpose. Together, we will build a stronger National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority, a more water-secure Kenya and a more prosperous nation for generations to come," he said.
