NWHSA SINKS A BORE IN NYAMIRA
- Briefly introduce yourself to our readers
My name is CS. Sharon Obonyo, the Chief Executive Officer in Acting Capacity of the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority, a position I have held since 28th April 2020.
I am an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a Certified Secretary with the Institute of Certified Secretaries and a mediator. I am currently working on my Arbitration certification at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch).
My over 15 year’s career span has led me to specialize in strategic management and leadership in both government and private sector. I have experience in: Governance, Business Development, and contract management as well as public policy management.
I am privileged to have a career span that has been characterized by a legacy of firsts, a spectacle brought about by my courage to face new challenges, the ability to build high performance teams and my in-built strong value system. My cornerstones have always been working smart and people-management.
- Tell us about NWHSA
The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA) is established under Section 30 of the Water Act 2016. The Authority’s main mandate is to undertake on behalf of the National Government, the development of National Public Water Works for water resources storage and flood control and maintain and manage National public water works Infrastructure for water resources storage.
The Authority came as a result of transition from National Water Conservation & Pipeline Corporation (NWCPC), whose main mandate was to develop state schemes and spearhead dam construction for water supplies, flood control and other multipurpose uses.
In summary, our mandate is best captured by our slogan; “Hifadhi Maji, Boresha Maisha” which basically means water storage for Prosperous life.
What is your greatest motivation and inspiration in your role as the Acting CEO of NWHSA?
One of my work life philosophies revolves around leading with courage and optimism. As the team leader, it is my role to formulate and implement the Authority’s strategies to ensure the Authority attains its set objectives and accomplishes its mission.
I am inspired by the fact that I am leading a team that aims to bring positive change in the livelihoods of many through provision of water. Kenya is still ranked in the severe water stress category based on the UN global scale on water security which stipulates a minimum of 1000 cubic metres per person per year. This means we still have many women and girls especially in the rural areas trekking for several kilometers in search of water. I am extremely motivated when I see women and girls fetching water and animals quenching their thirst from the water sources we have constructed.
- Outline the achievements that the Authority has made in executing its mandate.
We have made tremendous achievements in the development of water infrastructure across the country both at the time when we were still operating under the Water Act 2002 as NWCPC, and now as NWHSA under the new reforms in the water sector. Going back to NWCPC, the Corporation managed to complete the construction of the following projects:
NWHSA’S PROJECTS
| Project | Capacity (m3) | Population served (No. of people) | Status | |
| Large Dams | ||||
| Chemususu Dam | 35,000m3/day | 600,000 | Complete | |
| Maruba Dam | 8,000m3/day. | 210,000 | Complete | |
| Kiserian Dam | 15,700m3/day | 253,000 | Complete | |
| Ongoing Large Dam projects | ||||
| Siyoi-Muruny’ Dam | 8.9MM3 38,880m3/day | 350,000 | Complete | |
| Soin-Koru Dam | 72,000m3/day. | 93.7 Million m3 | Tendering | |
| Medium Dams | ||||
| Naku’etum (Peace) Dam | 600,000m3 | 20,000 people 200,000 livestock. | Complete | |
| Kirandich Dam | 413,000 m3 | 65,000 | Complete | |
| Kalundu Dam | 500,000m3 | 70,000 | Complete |
We have several other large dams under feasibility and design stage such as Isiolo, Upper Narok, Londiani, Nyahururu and Rumuruti and Igembe North Water supply project.
Small dams, water pans and boreholes
We have constructed over 1,100 small dams and pans across the country especially in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) which have a cumulative storage capacity of approximately 20, million mᶟ. Additionally, we have drilled and equipped approximately 2000 boreholes serving six million people in various parts of the country.
Flood control
We have managed to construct flood control systems and other water infrastructure that have helped reduce the effects of floods. This year, people living along some sections of rivers Nyando and Awach-Tende were not displaced. Areas protected by dykes have managed to get bumper harvests from their crops and it is our joy and motivation to do more to ensure we cover more ground.
Currently, we are carrying out various flood control projects along major rivers prone to floods where we seek to Improve the drainage capability of various rivers and Impound the flow within the flood plain and river channels. These are: Kuja, Awach Tende/Maugo, Nyando, Nzoia- Budalang’I, Sabwani, Kapkakwa, Perkerra, Kawalase, Goda Merti, Sololo and Olopito El-Masharan Dam.
- What are the key achievements that the Authority has achieved under your leadership?
We have achieved so much that I am really proud of as a team leader. On projects, we have completed the construction of Naku’etum Peace Dam. This dam is located in the remotest part of Turkana County where water is a very scarce resource. I am happy that the project is a great success and most importantly, it has brought peace and harmony among the communities that live there. Napuu water project which was funded by the County government of Turkana and implemented by us under the Business Development Unit is a great milestone for us. The steel tank has a storage capacity of 300 m3 serving 3,300 households.
During the FY 2020/2021, we implemented the National Water Harvesting & Ground Water Exploitation Programme and Water for Schools. We drilled and equipped twenty-one (21) boreholes.
Further, we have put in place processes and systems in our operations that have improved service delivery and enhanced efficiency. Currently, we have taken steps to enable us get the ISO Standard 9001:2015 certification by December, this year.
- The country is currently grappling with challenges of drought yet a few months ago we had floods that caused massive destruction and loss of life. What strategies has the Authority put in place to cut the cycle?
We have developed the National Water Harvesting and Storage Strategy (NWHSS) in collaboration with the Ministry which provides the medium term roadmap to achieve improved water security. We intend to increase water storage capacity by 148.6 million cubic meters (Mm3) between now and the year 2026 through completion of the ongoing projects such as Siyoi- Muruny Dam.
Soin- Koru Dam will solve the problem of floods in Nyanza region. This a Vision 2030 flagship project meant for flood control among other functions with a storage capacity of 93.7 MM3. In the meantime, there is need to increase the flood control works to cover a wider area e.g. through use of more kilometers of dykes.
We also intend to drill and equip more boreholes under the National Water Harvesting & Ground Water Exploitation Programme and Water for Schools.
- What challenges have you as the CEO and NWHSA faced in executing your mandate?
We like to look at these challenges as opportunities. The main one is lack of enough financial resources to fully implement the projects so as to reduce to a minimum level the effects of floods and drought. For example, we require 1.5 billion shillings every year to do substantial flood control works against the current allocation of 400 million shillings. We are considering tapping into other options of raising funds such as Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Land compensation is also a great challenge as takes in the huge chunk of project budget. The Ministry of lands needs to look into this issue and set clear standards that will enhance efficiency.
- Is there any model country that you think we should borrow from as far as water harvesting is concerned?
Tamil Nadu state in South India is a trendsetter in rain water harvesting. In 2003, India made rain water harvesting mandatory. Embracing Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is critical in the recharge of ground water, flood control and water storage. We are also encouraging households to harvest water using roof catchment. We can harvest so much water using small ponds, water pans, shallow wells, boreholes, dams and groundwater infiltration or ecosystem storage as the options for water harvesting and storage.
- What is your advice to young women aspiring to take leadership positions in the corporate world?
My advice to budding female leaders would be: Believe in yourself. I encourage young women to engage in leadership roles or seek political office. I challenge young ladies to stand out and excel. Think of yourself as a leader first, before anything else. You need to know your role very well. When you understand the demands of your role expectations, it positions you better to develop or craft the right strategy to deliver outstanding performance and drive your journey to the top leadership position.
Additionally, personal management and character is key. The manner in which you conduct yourself has a strong influence on how far you can go up the corporate leadership ladder. You will also need to learn how to deal with and cope with the challenge of favoritism because people tend to promote people who think and act like them, and there are more men in top leadership positions.
Raise your hand. No woman ever gets into a leadership position without taking some risks along the way, surround yourself with people who will stretch you. The path to leadership is about learning, growing and evolving. Believe that you can, strike a work-life balance and be yourself.