The Water Resources Authority (WRA) has unveiled an ambitious strategic plan for 2023-2027, focusing on critical areas such as reliable water data, climate change mitigation, and the digitization of services. This initiative aims to enhance the enforcement of water resource laws and regulations.
During the launch, Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa hailed the plan as a transformative step in addressing pressing climate change challenges. “This plan comes at a crucial time, and I commend the WRA management for its thoughtful drafting. It tackles key issues in water conservation and enables proactive planning,” he stated.
Mugaa encouraged other water sector agencies to follow WRA’s lead, noting its exemplary role as a parastatal. “By working together, we can achieve significant results, and WRA sets a strong example of a positive working culture,” he remarked. WRA Board Chair Donald Murgor emphasized the authority’s commitment to enforcing water laws. “We will collaborate closely with counties to ensure compliance. If everyone fulfills their responsibilities, we can achieve water security,” he asserted.
WRA CEO Mohammed Shurie underscored the plan’s focus on enhancing water resources management in Kenya. “Without proper management of our catchment areas, we risk facing severe future challenges. We must partner together to improve our water resources,” he urged, appealing to Kenyans for support in implementing the plan.
As part of its modernization efforts, WRA has fully transitioned to the e-Citizen platform to enhance accessibility and efficiency. “Our goal is to simplify access to water-related services and streamline the process for obtaining permits and authorizations,” Shurie explained.
The agency has discontinued previous payment methods, such as M-Pesa paybills, with all transactions now processed through the e-Citizen platform. This change ensures a centralized and secure payment system for WRA services, which include permit applications, renewals, water use charges, and laboratory water quality testing bookings. Users can also check permit statuses and access water resource data via the platform.
WRA is committed to providing efficient, accessible services to all Kenyans, and its integration with the e-Citizen platform marks a significant step toward this goal. This move aligns with the Kenyan Government’s broader agenda to enhance digitalization across various sectors, improving service delivery and promoting transparency.
In December 2022, the government mandated that all payments for government services be processed through the e-Citizen portal, further reinforcing this initiative.
