Article 43 of the Constitution as read together with section 9 of the Water Act, 2016 pro…
Motion text
THAT, aware that Article 43 of the Constitution as read together with section 9 of the Water Act, 2016 provide for the access to clean, safe and adequate water for all citizens; further aware that access to water guarantees human and animal health, food security, clean and sustainable environment among other socio-economic drivers; acknowledging that with a population of nearly 53 million, about 28 million Kenyans lack access to safe water while 41 million lack access to improved sanitation; further acknowledging the rising water demand in the country and the growing water scarcity due to climate change, population growth, urbanization, water pollution, and poor management of water resources; noting that the lack of clean, safe and adequate water affects economic activities, food security, education, and health and that the effects are especially evident in rural areas and urban slums; further noting that with recurring drought, the country experiences acute water shortage resulting in loss of lives, livelihoods, as well as environmental degradation with arid and semi- arid (ASAL) areas being the most affected; recognizing that this has led to economic decline in these areas partly due to successive marginalization and/or under investment in water; further recognizing that during rainy seasons, these areas experience destructive immense surface water flow sometimes leading to flooding, and that with adequate supply of water, these ASAL areas can greatly contribute to food security, employment and wealth creation hence reduce poverty and accelerate national economic growth; this House therefore urges the National Government through the relevant Ministry, to: (i) institutionalize rainwater harvesting and storage in the country and particularly in the Arid and Semi-Arid areas; and (ii) develop an affirmative action programme for investment in water harvesting, purification, storage and distribution in the Arid and Semi- Arid areas.
Tracker remarks
Awaiting debate
Source: parliament.go.ke. Last updated 17 Oct 2026.