Committee Approves Designation of Six Areas as Protected Water Catchment Zones
The Committee on Delegated Legislation has approved a series of orders to designate six areas across the country as protected water catchment zones, a move aimed at safeguarding vital water resources for future generations. The approval came after a meeting with the Water Resources Authority (WRA), led by CEO Mohamed Shurie, where the committee reviewed and endorsed the proposals.
The newly designated protected areas include the Eneyampuipui Wetland, Kibirong’ Wetland, Fafi Wetland, Mereroni-Mbaruk Wetland, Kamatargui Wetland, and Siany’ Wetland. These areas will now be subject to special regulations designed to protect their water catchment functions, under the provisions of the Water Act (2016).
Among the orders approved were the **Water Act (Eneyampuipui Wetland) Catchment Protection Order, 2024**, the **Water Act (Kibirong’ Wetland) Catchment Protection Order, 2024**, and the **Water Act (Fafi Wetland) Catchment Protection Order, 2024**. The other included regulations are the **Water Act (Mereroni-Mbaruk Wetland) Catchment Protection Order, 2024**, the **Water Act (Kamatargui Wetland) Catchment Protection Order, 2024**, and the **Water Act (Siany’ Wetland) Catchment Protection Order, 2024**.
Under the Water Act, the WRA has the mandate to regulate the use and management of water resources, and Section 22 of the Act allows the Authority to declare an area a protected water catchment if it deems that special measures are required for its protection. Once designated, these areas are published in the official gazette.
However, the committee’s approval of the orders was not without concerns. Legislators, led by Committee Chair Hon. Samuel Chepkong’a (Ainabkoi), raised questions about the potential impact on communities currently residing in these newly designated catchment zones. Hon. Chepkong’a, along with the committee’s Vice Chair Hon. Robert Gichimu (Gichugu), emphasized the need for careful consideration regarding the possible relocation of residents living in these areas.
While the Water Resources Authority is tasked with enforcing the regulations, the committee urged the Authority to engage with the affected communities and ensure that measures are taken to minimize any adverse effects, particularly concerning relocation or resettlement.
“We must balance environmental protection with the needs and livelihoods of the people who live in these areas,” said Hon. Chepkong’a. “The WRA must proceed with caution and work closely with residents to address their concerns as we implement these protective measures.”
The approval of these protected zones is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance the sustainability and management of water resources across the country, ensuring that critical ecosystems continue to support local communities and contribute to national water security. The WRA is now expected to publish the orders in the official gazette and begin implementing the necessary protection measures in the coming months.
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