By Anderson Ojwang
Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) has, in three years, made a tremendous leap to become one of the top 10 performing state agencies and to be decorated with awards.
In the words of the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Eng. Eric Murithi Mugaa, the agency has moved from merely mentioning figures to the actual implementation and realisation of the strategic plan.
“At the launch of the strategic plan some time back, I asked the Board if they were just putting figures for the sake of it. But they have proved that they knew, and I am happy they have put projects to the figures, and that is why they were declared the fourth-best performing state agency,” he said.
Kericho Governor Dr Eric Mutai echoed the Cabinet Secretary’s sentiments, saying the agency had performed well and transformed water infrastructure in the eight counties.
“To be named in position four is not a mean achievement in a state corporation. As the governors from the region, we have closely worked with the agency to achieve the objective of water for all,” he said.
Mutai observed the technical competence of the staff at the agency and their ability to write successful proposals that had brought multi-billion-shilling projects and transformed the water sector in the region.
“I want to thank the Chief Executive Officer and the Board for showcasing competence. We want to commit, as governors from the region, that we will not be in competition with you but will be your partners to witness development and growth in the sector,” he said.
The Agency Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jackline Kemunto, showcased the milestones and achievements.
Awards
Leadership in Staff Training and Sensitisation
The agency was presented with the award for Leadership in Staff Training and Sensitisation.
This award was for adherence to the Foundational Statute and Mwongozo principles.
Kemunto said the award was from the Office of the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service and was presented to LVSWWDA.
“The award was in recognition of our leadership and training efforts in sensitising staff on improving performance and efficiency through prompt corrective action and the administration of lawful and proportionate consequences,” she said.
CEO Awarded
The second award was presented to the CEO, Kemunto, for her role in adhering to the Foundational Statute and the principles of Mwongozo in the execution of the core mandate and governance of the state corporation.
Award of Recognition in Sludge and Wastewater
The CEO said the Management Board Chairman, Mr Dan Omino, received an award during the inaugural Lake Victoria Day celebrations held on 21 May 2026 in Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania.
“The Agency received an award of recognition for its outstanding dedication, creativity and hard work in sludge and wastewater management,” she said.
Top 10 State Corporation Performance
She said LVSWWDA was ranked the fourth-best-performing state corporation, with a composite score of 2.1027, as stated in the Report on Evaluation of the Performance of Ministries, State Corporations and Tertiary Institutions for the Financial Year 2024/2025, with an excellent rating in the delivery of its core mandate.
“We were rated excellent in the Productivity Index, with a score of 4.365 out of 5.00. The Agency was ranked excellent in the Productivity Improvement Indicator Evaluation for FY 2025/26 under the 22nd cycle of Performance Contracting, with a productivity index of 4.4, rated as excellent productivity,” she said.
Strategic Plan Delivery
Kemunto said the Board had been able to deliver on the Strategic Plan 2023–2027, as reflected in the Mid-Term Evaluation.
“We have made commendable progress in expanding water infrastructure, strengthening institutional performance and advancing environmental sustainability during the first half of the Plan period,” she said.
Flagship Achievements
She said the Board had been able to complete strategic water projects, including the LVWATSAN Programme in Kisumu Phase 1, Ugunja-Ukwala-Sega, Kendu Bay, and last-mile connectivity projects in Migori, Isebania and the Homa Bay Cluster.
She said the Board had commenced metered bulk water operations in line with the Water (Amendment) Act, 2024, and launched the LVWATSAN Phase II Programme.
“We have assumed control of the Itare Bulk Water Supply System, with operationalisation in the 2026/2027 financial year,” she said.
Impact
The completed projects were translating investment into tangible access to water for households, institutions and businesses across the Basin, as shown below by county.
She said the Kendu Bay Water Project was completed in October 2023 with funding from the African Development Bank and the Government of Kenya.
“The Kendu Bay Water Project serves about 13,000 households in Homa Bay County. It is one of the flagship projects completed under the Strategic Plan,” she said.
Challenges and Opportunities
The CEO said that, as the sector looked towards the remaining implementation period, the Basin’s water and sanitation landscape presented both persistent structural challenges and significant opportunities for accelerated impact.
Sector Challenges and Emerging Opportunities
She said non-revenue water remained well above the acceptable benchmark of 25 per cent across most utilities in the region, eroding operational efficiency.
Underfunding, relative to the capital-intensive nature of water and sanitation infrastructure, constrained delivery.
Sanitation coverage continued to trail water coverage, with many sewerage projects still at the concept or design stage.
Climate variability, including droughts, floods and catchment degradation, was placing growing pressure on water resources.
Vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure interrupted services to households and raised repair costs.
Regarding the capacity of counties to operate water and sanitation projects, she said that, as valued partners, county governments would benefit from continued joint capacity-building and shared planning with the Agency.
Non-servicing of loans for water and sanitation infrastructure put the financing of future projects at risk.
Cybersecurity risks were growing as billing, metering and operations became digitalised.
Infrastructure security remained important for protecting treatment works, pumping stations and pipelines.
There was a growing appetite among development partners for blended financing (AfDB, KfW, AfD, EIB, EU and World Bank) for bankable water and sanitation projects.
The expanded mandate under the Water (Amendment) Act, 2024, included bulk water supply and metering.
There was rising adoption of renewable energy and digital innovation to cut operational costs and improve reliability.
Alignment with BETA, Kenya Vision 2030, SDG 6 and AU Agenda 2063 was opening avenues for policy support and financing through the national infrastructure fund.
There was untapped potential in the Lake Victoria blue and green economy, as well as opportunities for deeper county partnership frameworks.
Last-mile and sewerage connectivity could be scaled up through the LVWATSAN Programme and the National Urban Programme to reach more households.
Stronger collaboration with county governments and water service providers could support the operation and maintenance of completed projects.
Rising demand for safe water and sanitation as the Basin urbanised was supporting investment in bulk supply and sewerage.
Project Pipeline Across the Counties
Beyond the achievements already realised, LVSWWDA continues to implement and plan a broad pipeline of water and sanitation infrastructure projects across its eight-county jurisdiction — the projects that will define the second half of the Strategic Plan period.
