Over the weekend, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Fund Committee, led by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, partnered with the Council of Governors Committee on Water, Forestry, and Natural Resources Management (Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime) for a two-day Water Multi-Stakeholder Forum in Mombasa County. The forum aimed to address crucial issues in water management and governance.

Participants discussed strategies to enhance the working relationship between county governments and water works agencies. They also reviewed water works agency development projects and the associated liabilities passed on to county water utilities. Further discussions centered on how agencies design projects on behalf of county water utilities, and concerns surrounding asset ownership (such as treatment plants and vehicles), with ownership documents remaining with water agencies and thus potentially misrepresenting financial statements.

The forum was prompted by Senate Committee observations that many water companies had not fully implemented the asset and liability transfers mandated by the Water Act of 2016. This situation obscures their true financial positions. Additionally, projects were sometimes implemented without consulting relevant water utilities and counties, negatively impacting water resource management.

Key attendees included the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (represented by Water PS Julius Korir), Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o, and Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee. Also present were Water Works Development Agencies, the Water Services Regulatory Board, the Water Sector Trust Fund, and the Water and Sanitation Providers Association. This diverse participation highlights the need for collaboration in addressing water sector challenges.