EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has developed the Fifth strategic plan for the period 2023-2027. This comprehensive roadmap outlines our vision, objectives, and strategies to drive the transformation of the water services sector in Kenya. With a firm commitment to ensuring access to safe and reliable water services for all, this strategic plan sets the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive future.

By creating a conducive regulatory environment for water services provision, WASREB will facilitate the attainment of universal access in both urban and rural areas; stimulate efficiency in operations and effectiveness in the investments in the water services sector; promote good governance while aligning the regulatory tools to the changing environment.

From the situational analysis, our core strengths are in Experienced and competent skills mix, Robust regulatory tools, own source of revenue and Establishment in the Law (Water Act 2016). The key challenges identified are in areas of stakeholder engagement, staff establishment and enforcement.

Externally, the board faces a number of threats including low operational efficiency at the Water Service Provider (WSP) level, political interference in the governance of WSPs and climate change. The board intends to leverage on key opportunities including the conducive environment for regulation of rural water Services, partnerships and collaboration, technology and data analytics and increased awareness on regulation.

Following the situational analysis, the focus will be on four Key Result Areas of: Access to water services, Governance, Collaboration and Effective Regulator to facilitate overall effectiveness and efficiency in the water and Sanitation Sector.

The five Strategic objectives in the next five years are: –

1.      Ensure the realization of the right to water services

2.      Streamline water services provision in rural and underserved areas

3.      Strengthen public accountability in water service provision

4.      Ensure compliance with established standards

5.      Strengthen institutional capacity

The strategic plan lays emphasis on strengthening the regulatory framework, enhancing transparency and promoting good governance practices among water service providers. Access to water services remains a critical area of focus as there is a need to streamline water services provision, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Collaboration is central to our strategic approach whereby we recognise the interconnectedness of stakeholders in the water services sector, and we seek to forge partnerships and collaboration with relevant institutions and organizations.

This strategic plan outlines measures to monitor compliance with design and construction standards of water works and enhance surveillance in the sector. Additionally, we will align our communication and stakeholder engagement strategies to meet the needs of stakeholders, enhancing transparency and building trust.

The strategic plan also underscores the importance of strengthening WASREB’s institutional capacity. We will focus on building a capable workforce, embracing a learning culture, and investing in technology and innovation. By operationalizing risk management frameworks and fostering a positive organizational culture, we will enhance efficiency and effectiveness in delivering on our mandate. Moreover, we will mobilize resources and explore alternative financing models to ensure the financial sustainability of the water services sector.

The institutional framework for implementation and coordination of the strategy has been developed to ensure that the Board is well positioned to implement the strategy. Risk Management framework addresses the risk management process and the aspect of risk analysis for the various risks that may compromise the successful implementation of the strategic plan. A monitoring and evaluation framework has been developed to guide the organisation on reporting, feedback mechanisms, performance management systems.