The Committee on Blue Economy, Water & Irrigation has directed the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation to shelve the initiation of new projects and instead focus on completing stalled and ongoing projects.

Speaking during the 2026 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) meeting, the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) emphasized that the new projects won't see the light of the day in the 2026 BPS.

"You cannot spend what's not available nor stretch beyond the limits. You can't say you have a shortage of resources when you keep bringing new projects," Hon. Kangogo said.

The Committee drew the line following the Ministry's request for additional funding, part of which is expected to fund new projects.

Appearing before the Committee, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Mugaa in the company of the Principal Secretaries for the State Departments for Water & Sanitation and Irrigation; Mr. Julius Korir and CPA Ephantus Kimotho respectively, defended the Ministry's budget requirements against 2026 proposed Budget allocations.

Mr. Julius Korir briefed the Committee that the State Department for Water and Sanitation requires Ksh. 120.1 billion against the 2026 BPS proposed expenditure ceiling of Ksh. 56.8 billion, noting that enhanced funding will ensure equitable access to clean and safe water across the country through the implementation of key projects.

On his part, the PS for the State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho sought an additional funding of Ksh. 20.5 billion, over and above the proposed BPS allocation of Ksh. 943 million.

CPA Kimotho warned that inadequate funding will adversely affect implementation of ongoing projects and also cause delays on projects completion, resulting to stalling and possible pending bills.

Defending the State Departments, the CS emphasized that climate change has significantly reduced the reliability of rain fed agriculture, making irrigation development the most sustainable solution for food security challenges.

Owing to the shortfall in the Ministry's Budget requirement, Eng. Mugaa implored the Committee to assist the Ministry by raising the budget ceilings for the two State Departments to increase the capacity to fund projects, improve service delivery and even accommodate more programs to cushion the growing demand of Kenyans.