The Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA), established in 2012 to protect, rehabilitate, and manage Kenya’s critical water towers, has ceased operations following its recent dissolution by the government. The agency’s Board was disbanded last month, and its Chairperson and Directors were reassigned to other ministries and government agencies.
The decision was announced by Aden Duale, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry. According to Duale, the dissolution was necessitated by the expiration of the Executive Order under which KWTA was founded (Gazette Notice No. 31 of April 20, 2012). The Executive Order expired more than a year ago, leaving the agency operating in a regulatory vacuum.
Duale further clarified that the move aligns with a broader Cabinet-approved strategy to rationalize state corporations with overlapping or duplicative mandates. “This step is part of the ongoing effort to streamline government agencies to eliminate redundancy, enhance efficiency, and reduce public expenditure,” he stated.
Redundancy in Environmental Management
KWTA’s role in environmental conservation, particularly its mandate to oversee Kenya’s water towers, was found to overlap with responsibilities handled by other institutions, including the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). This overlap raised concerns about duplication of effort and inefficient allocation of resources.
Established through Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 27, Legal Notice No. 27 of April 20, 2012, KWTA had a broad mandate to coordinate and oversee the protection, rehabilitation, and sustainable management of water towers such as the Mau Forest Complex, Mt. Kenya, and Aberdare Ranges, among others. These ecosystems are critical for Kenya’s water supply, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Despite its noble goals, the agency’s contributions to environmental conservation were increasingly scrutinized for inefficiency. By consolidating its functions under other existing bodies, the government aims to improve coherence and accountability in environmental governance.
Audit and Redeployment
To facilitate the transition, Duale instructed the Principal Secretaries for Environment and Climate Change, and Forestry to conduct a comprehensive audit of KWTA’s assets, liabilities, and staff. “All staff of KWTA will be deployed to the Ministry and its agencies based on their established competencies,” the CS announced.
This reassignment ensures that the technical expertise developed within KWTA is retained within the public sector, bolstering ongoing conservation efforts.
President Ruto’s Vision for Parastatal Reforms
The dissolution of KWTA is part of a broader directive by President William Ruto to reduce the number of state corporations as part of an effort to cut government spending. In July, the President announced plans to dissolve at least 47 parastatals, redistributing their staff and functions to other government departments or agencies.
President Ruto emphasized that these measures are aimed at optimizing public sector performance, noting that many parastatals were operating with overlapping mandates, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary expenditures.
Implications for Environmental Conservation
While the dissolution of KWTA marks the end of a decade-long effort to centralize water tower management, it raises questions about the long-term sustainability of Kenya’s conservation initiatives. Critics argue that a specialized agency like KWTA offered focused attention on the country’s water towers, which are under increasing pressure from deforestation, illegal settlements, and climate change.
On the other hand, supporters of the move argue that consolidating functions under institutions like KFS and NEMA will foster better coordination and resource use. As the Ministry of Environment undertakes the audit and redeployment process, stakeholders will closely monitor how these changes affect Kenya’s environmental conservation landscape.
The rationalization process highlights the government’s commitment to restructuring its operations for greater efficiency, even as it navigates challenges in balancing cost-cutting measures with effective service delivery. For Kenya’s water towers, their protection and sustainable management remain pivotal for the country’s ecological and economic well-being.
