THE WATER (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Consolidation of Water and Irrigation Authorities
The Bill proposes to merge the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (established under Cap. 372) and the National Irrigation Authority (established under Cap. 347). Their unified functions will be implemented by a consolidated entity: the National Irrigation and Water Harvesting Authority.
Repeal of Separate Board and Management Structures
The Bill repeals Sections 30 through 35 of the Water Act (Cap. 372). This effectively abolishes the independent board of the Water Storage Authority, its Chief Executive Officer position, and its staff appointment provisions.
Removal of Financial and Funding Provisions
Amendments to Sections 126 and 130 of the principal Act strip the Water Storage Authority of its direct allocation of Parliamentary funds and its power to retain revenues generated from permit charges, regulatory levies, and water user fees.
Bill No.
No. 34 of 2026
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 138 of 2026
Sponsor
Kimani Ichung'wah
Background
The principal objective of the Water (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is to enhance the efficiency of water storage and harvesting in Kenya. Currently, water harvesting and irrigation activities are split across separate institutional frameworks. By merging the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (governed by the Water Act, Cap. 372) and the National Irrigation Authority (governed by the Irrigation Act, Cap. 347), the Government intends to streamline these overlapping functions under a unified body: the National Irrigation and Water Harvesting Authority.
Key Amendments
- Abolition of the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority: Clause 2 and Clause 3 amend the principal Act by deleting the definitions of "Water Storage Authority" and "Water Storage Board," and removing the corresponding subheading from Part III of the Water Act.
- Repeal of Sections 30 to 35: The Bill repeals the statutory provisions that established the Water Storage Authority as a body corporate (Section 30), its governing board (Section 31), its official powers and functions (Section 32), the qualifications and terms of its Chief Executive Officer (Section 33 and 34), and the appointment of its staff (Section 35).
- Financial Realignment: Clauses 10 and 11 amend Sections 126 and 130 of the Water Act to delete references to the Water Storage Authority, thereby removing its entitlement to direct allocations of funds from Parliament and its power to retain funds collected from water permit charges, user fees, and regulatory levies.
- Schedule Amendments: Clause 12 amends the First Schedule to Cap. 372 to eliminate references to the Water Storage Board and the National Water Storage Authority regarding conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements and rules for calling first board meetings.
Transitional Provisions
The Bill repeals the organizational structures of the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority under the Water Act (Cap. 372) to allow its functions, assets, and operations to transition and merge with the National Irrigation Authority under the framework of the National Irrigation and Water Harvesting Authority.
Gazettement
The Water (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was published in the Kenya Gazette No. 138.
First Reading
The Bill was read a First Time in the National Assembly.