Human Rights Defenders, Youth Call for Wider Public Participation on Water Bill 2026
“Any reforms in the water sector must be undertaken transparently and with the input of all stakeholders. It is important to ensure that the interests of farmers and the public are safeguarded before this Bill is passed into law,” said Kirui.
Human rights defender Kimutai Kirui (centre) addresses the media in Eldoret on the proposed Water (Amendment) Bill, 2026, calling for inclusive public participation and broader stakeholder engagement. Looking on are fellow human rights advocate Juma Akumu (left) and youth representative Brian Francis (right). Photo by James Gitaka.
By James Gitaka
Human rights defenders in Uasin Gishu County, alongside youth representatives, have urged the government and Parliament to ensure comprehensive public participation before the Water (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is enacted, warning that some of its proposals could have far-reaching implications for agriculture, employment, devolution, and water infrastructure management.
The Bill, tabled in Parliament by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, seeks to merge the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) with the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA) into a single institution. The proposed legislation is now headed for public participation, where Kenyans will have an opportunity to submit their views before Parliament proceeds with debate and consideration of the Bill.
Speaking in Eldoret, human rights advocates led by Kimutai Kirui said the reforms should only proceed after meaningful consultations with all stakeholders, noting that farmers stand to be the most affected by the proposed changes.
“Any reforms in the water sector must be undertaken transparently and with the input of all stakeholders. It is important to ensure that the interests of farmers and the public are safeguarded before this Bill is passed into law,” said Kirui.
Human rights defender Juma Akumu emphasized that the public participation process must go beyond a legal requirement and provide a genuine platform for stakeholders to influence the final legislation.
“This Bill affects millions of Kenyans, particularly farmers who depend on irrigation for their livelihoods. Parliament must ensure thorough stakeholder engagement through an inclusive and meaningful public participation process so that every concern is considered before the Bill is enacted,” Akumu said.
Kirui further called on the Senate and the Council of Governors to actively participate in scrutinizing the proposed law, arguing that agriculture is a devolved function under the Constitution and that county governments have substantial responsibilities in water infrastructure development and irrigation.
The lobbyists urged county governments, governors, senators, farmers’ organizations, and other stakeholders to pay close attention to the Bill during the public participation phase to safeguard the interests of farmers and protect county-managed water infrastructure from unintended consequences arising from the proposed merger.
The group also revealed that it has prepared a memorandum containing recommendations and concerns on the Bill, which will be submitted to Parliament for consideration before lawmakers debate and vote on the proposed legislation.
According to the memorandum, the proposed merger could create an institution with an overly broad mandate, potentially diminishing irrigation as a strategic agricultural function by subsuming it under a wider water infrastructure framework. The memorandum further calls for reforms that uphold devolution, promote accountability, ensure equitable allocation of resources, and strengthen stakeholder participation in decision-making.
Youth representatives led by Brian Francis expressed concern that merging the two state agencies could result in widespread job losses, particularly among young professionals employed in the water and irrigation sectors.
“The proposed merger is likely to lead to job redundancies, and it is young people who will bear the greatest burden. We support reforms, but they should not come at the expense of employment or without consulting those who will be directly affected,” Francis said.
The youth leaders noted that only about 11 percent of Kenya’s land is suitable for agriculture, while more than 80 percent comprises arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), making irrigation a critical pillar for food security and climate resilience.
They called on Parliament to ensure extensive consultations with citizens, water sector experts, farmers, county governments, and other stakeholders during the public participation process, saying the outcome should be legislation that protects jobs, strengthens food security, safeguards devolution, and supports sustainable management of Kenya’s water resources.
The Water (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is expected to attract significant public interest in the coming weeks as Kenyans submit their views on proposals that could reshape the country’s water governance framework and the future of irrigation development.
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