NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Assembly of Kenya House Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation has cautioned the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation against rolling out new projects while dozens of existing ones remain incomplete across the country.
The warning came during a committee meeting on February 23 after the Ministry requested additional funding under the 2026 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) to initiate fresh projects despite delays in previously launched programmes.
Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen faulted the Ministry’s approach, arguing that it was imprudent to expand commitments without completing ongoing works.
“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,” Bowen said.
Committee members directed the Ministry to prioritise the completion of stalled and delayed projects before seeking funding for new initiatives, raising concerns over pending bills and inefficient utilisation of public funds.
In response, Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa defended the request for increased allocations, citing rising service delivery demands and the growing impact of climate change on water resources.
He told lawmakers that erratic rainfall has reduced the reliability of rain-fed agriculture, making irrigation expansion critical to safeguarding national food security.
“Without increased investment in irrigation infrastructure, the country risks worsening food shortages and vulnerability to irregular weather patterns,” Mugaa said.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir urged MPs to raise the Ministry’s budget ceiling from Sh 56.8 billion to Sh 120.1 billion, warning that the current allocation is insufficient to expand equitable access to clean and safe water.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho sought an additional Sh 20.5 billion above the proposed Sh 943 million allocation, cautioning that inadequate funding could stall projects further and lead to the accumulation of pending bills.
The debate highlights growing tension between fiscal discipline and development demands as Parliament scrutinizes the 2026 BPS. Lawmakers maintain that prudent budgeting and completion of existing infrastructure projects must take precedence to ensure value for public money and avoid compounding inefficiencies in the water sector.
