WRA Raises Alarm Over Rising Non-Compliance as CEO Warns of Tougher Enforcement in 2026
The Water Resources Authority (WRA) has issued a strong public warning over escalating non-compliance with national water laws, as the agency moves to reinforce regulation amid growing pressure on Kenya’s already scarce water resources.
Speaking during a media briefing, WRA CEO Mohamed Shurie said the Authority has observed a concerning rise in illegal water abstraction, breach of permit conditions, and politically driven defiance of the Water Act 2016 and the Water Resources Regulations 2025.
Shurie underscored that Kenya is a water-scarce country, making effective regulation essential for equity, sustainability, and climate resilience. “Water may be God-given, but it is scarce and must be managed responsibly. If upstream users consume everything, what happens to those downstream? That is why regulation is mandatory,” he said.
Under Section 12 of the Water Act 2016, WRA is mandated to oversee the management, protection, conservation, and use of water resources. A key tool in achieving equitable allocation is the Water Use Permit System, which relies on scientific and data-driven decisions to ensure every user gets a fair share of the available water. “Every Kenyan who abstracts water must have a permit. This is global best practice, not a unique Kenyan invention,” Shurie emphasized.
However, recent months have seen a sharp increase in illegal water production and violations of permit conditions. Shurie accused some political leaders of inciting the public to defy lawful directives ironically, he noted, the same leaders participated in passing the very laws now being disregarded. “It is awkward when a leader incites citizens against an Act they themselves passed in Parliament. We are only implementing the law,” he added.
The CEO dismissed claims that WRA vandalizes property when enforcing the law, explaining that the agency only disconnects illegal abstractions after notices and bills go unheeded. “We disconnect; we do not destroy. Once a user complies, we reconnect immediately,” he said, referencing a recent high-profile case in Nyeri County allegedly fueled by political interference.
Shurie reiterated that both private individuals and public institutions are liable for violations. Permit holders—including managing directors of government agencies—will be held personally responsible for non-compliance, as clearly provided for in the Water Act and Regulations. “Leadership must take responsibility. When institutions violate the law, the heads of those institutions will be answerable,” he noted.
He further explained that water allocation decisions are guided by sustainability. Even where boreholes yield high volumes, WRA may approve only a fraction to ensure availability for other users. “We must allow the resource to regenerate. Equity guides all our decisions,” he said.
All communication, he stressed, is directed strictly to permit holders, whether private or institutional. WRA has urged all water users to regularize their abstraction, renew expired permits, and seek advice at any of the Authority’s 32 sub-basin or six regional offices. Applications can also be submitted through the e-permit system on eCitizen.
In a temporary relief measure, WRA has suspended all massive disconnections from December 10, 2025, to January 15, 2026, to allow Kenyans to celebrate the festive season without disruption. Enforcement actions will continue during the period, but without disconnections. “We are giving Kenyans space to enjoy the holidays. But after January 15, enforcement will resume fully,” Shurie said.
He cited Nairobi as an example where recent disconnections prompted immediate engagement with county leadership, leading to swift resolution and reconnection. “We ask leaders not to politicize enforcement. We are all Kenyans, and we are implementing laws passed through democratic processes,” Shurie appealed.
WRA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s water resources for present and future generations, warning that continued non-compliance threatens ecosystems, communities, and long-term water security.
