About the Department
Background
The Department of Water, Environment, Climate Change & Natural Resources delivers one of the most visible devolved services — water — while safeguarding the ecosystems that sustain the county’s agriculture and tourism economy.
It coordinates the County Climate Change Fund, implements ward-level climate resilience investments, and enforces environmental standards alongside national regulators.
Legal Mandate
The department derives its mandate from:
- The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 (Article 42 and Fourth Schedule)
- The Water Act, 2016
- The Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999 (as amended)
- The Climate Change Act, 2016
- The Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016
Constitutional Functions
- County water and sanitation services
- Implementation of national environmental policies
- Soil and water conservation and forestry
- Climate change adaptation and mitigation coordination
- Control of air pollution, noise and public nuisances
- Management of county natural resources
Core Responsibilities
- Developing boreholes, water pans, dams and piped schemes
- Supporting community water projects and water service providers
- Protecting springs, riparian reserves and wetlands
- Operating the County Climate Change Fund and ward committees
- Tree growing and catchment rehabilitation
- Environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement
A water-secure, green and climate-resilient county
Purpose
To provide sustainable water and sanitation services and to protect the environment and natural resources through sound policy, community action and climate-smart investment.
Core Values
Integrity
Honest, ethical conduct in every transaction and decision.
Accountability
Responsible use of public resources with clear reporting.
Professionalism
Technical excellence and respect in service delivery.
Innovation
Embracing new methods, data and technology.
Teamwork
Collaboration across directorates and with partners.
Inclusivity
Services accessible to all, including youth, women and PWDs.
Transparency
Open processes, published data and clear communication.
Sustainability
Protecting resources for future generations.
Departmental Leadership
Meet the executive and technical leadership steering the department’s mandate.
Prof. Jacqueline Adhiambo Oduol
Professional Profile
Key Responsibilities
- Water and environment policy oversight
- Representation in the County Executive Committee
- Accounting Officer for the departmental budget
- Chair of the County Climate Change Steering Committee
Hon. Jared Abayo Onyango
Professional Profile
Hon. Abayo is an experienced education, youth development, and public sector leader with extensive experience in youth empowerment, organisational leadership, programme development, and community service at both national and international levels.
Key Responsibilities
- Environmental policy and compliance
- County Climate Change Fund administration
- Forestry and catchment programmes
- Partner and donor coordination
Hon. Judith A. E. Oyugi
Professional Profile
Hon. Judith is an accomplished professional with a background spanning science, project management, pharmaceuticals, and public leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Water infrastructure planning and delivery
- Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) holder
- Oversight of the county water service provider
- Borehole and scheme maintenance
Directorates & Units
Select a directorate to view its mandate, objectives, functions and team.
Water Supply & Sanitation
Mandate
To expand reliable access to safe water and improved sanitation.
Objectives
- Raise safe water coverage to 85% by 2027
- Reduce non-revenue water below 25%
- Rehabilitate 60 stalled water projects
Functions
- Borehole drilling and equipping
- Piped scheme design and construction
- Community water project support
- Water quality testing and treatment
Team
Environment & Natural Resources
Mandate
To protect ecosystems and enforce environmental standards.
Objectives
- Rehabilitate 20 degraded riparian sites
- Achieve 15% county tree cover
- Resolve pollution complaints within 14 days
Functions
- Environmental compliance monitoring
- Riparian, wetland and spring protection
- Tree nurseries and greening programmes
- Noise, air and pollution control
Team
Climate Change
Mandate
To coordinate climate adaptation and mitigation and manage climate finance.
Objectives
- Fund climate actions in all 30 wards
- Complete the county climate risk profile
- Mobilise external climate finance
Functions
- County Climate Change Fund administration
- Ward climate change planning committees
- Climate risk assessment and reporting
- Community adaptation projects
Team
Natural Resources & Conservation
Mandate
To regulate sustainable use of county natural resources.
Objectives
- Map all county natural resource sites
- Regularise quarry and sand harvesting
- Support community conservancies
Functions
- Resource mapping and licensing support
- Quarry and sand harvesting regulation
- Soil and water conservation works
- Community conservation partnerships
Team
Find a Service
Search or filter services by category. Download the relevant application form where available.
| Service | Description | Target Users | Application Method | Timeline | Fees | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Connection Application Registration |
New household or business connection to a county water scheme. | Households, businesses | Water office / service provider | 14 working days | From KES 4,500 | |
| Community Water Project Support Advisory |
Technical and financial support for community water schemes. | Water user associations | Sub-county water office | 30 working days | Free technical support | |
| Borehole Siting & Technical Advice Advisory |
Hydro-geological advice and siting support for boreholes. | Institutions, groups | County water office | 21 working days | Free | |
| Water Quality Testing Certification |
Laboratory testing of drinking and irrigation water samples. | Households, institutions | Sample submission at county lab | 7 working days | KES 2,500 per sample | |
| Exhauster & Sanitation Services Advisory |
Emptying of septic tanks and sanitation support. | Households, institutions | Booking at county office | 3 working days | Per service tariff | |
| Tree Seedlings Issue Advisory |
Free and subsidised seedlings from county nurseries. | Farmers, schools, groups | County tree nursery | Same day | Free / subsidised | |
| Environmental Complaint Investigation Inspections |
Investigation of pollution, noise and environmental nuisances. | Residents, groups | Environment office complaint desk | 14 working days | Free | |
| Climate Change Ward Project Proposal Registration |
Community proposal for climate resilience funding. | Ward committees, communities | Ward climate committee | Per funding cycle | Free |
Departmental Projects
Rural Water Supply Expansion
Twenty-five boreholes and four gravity schemes serving 60,000 residents.
Urban Water Non-Revenue Reduction
Meter replacement, leak detection and network rehabilitation.
Ward Climate Resilience Investments
Community-prioritised adaptation projects in all 30 wards.
Spring Protection Programme
Protection and fencing of 140 community springs.
County Tree Growing Campaign
Two million seedlings planted with schools and community groups.
Multipurpose Dam Feasibility
Studies and design for a dam serving water supply and irrigation.
County Environmental Laboratory
Accredited laboratory for water and effluent testing.
Flagship Programmes
Capacity Building
Continuous training for officers and community champions.
Youth Empowerment
Internships, grants and mentorship for young people.
Women Empowerment
Targeted access to opportunity, credit and markets.
Public Participation
Ward forums, budget hearings and citizen feedback.
Climate Action
Climate-resilient planning and greening initiatives.
Digital Transformation
e-Services, open data and automated workflows.
How Our Work Aligns
Every departmental initiative is anchored in county, national and global development frameworks.
CIDP Alignment
Directly implements the sector priorities of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027.
- Sector programme delivery
- Ward-equitable investment
- Water security and climate resilience
Annual Development Plan
Translates CIDP priorities into costed annual work plans and budget proposals reviewed each fiscal year.
- FY 2026/27 costed workplan
- Ward-level project prioritization
Sustainable Development Goals
Aligns departmental targets with the global goals adopted by Kenya.
- Measured SDG indicators
- Gender-responsive programming
Governor’s Manifesto
Delivers on the commitments made to residents in the county leadership manifesto.
- Flagship commitments tracked quarterly
- Published delivery scorecard
Performance Contract
Annual targets are cascaded from the CECM through directors to individual staff appraisal.
- Service delivery KPIs
- Quarterly public reporting
Intergovernmental Coordination
Aligned with national sector policy and coordinated through the Council of Governors’ sector committee.
- Joint national–county programmes
- Donor & partner coordination
Documents & Resources
Browse official department documents organised by category.