The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority’s Board Risk and Audit Committee participated in a capacity-building training organized by the Kenya Ethics
and Anti-Corruption Academy (KEACA) aimed at strengthening oversight and enhancing institutional integrity in the public sector.
The training focused on detecting, preventing, and responding to corruption risks, equipping Committee members with practical approaches to identify vulnerabilities,
strengthen internal controls, and enhance governance systems that support transparency and accountability.
Through the program, participants explored strategies for corruption risk assessment, ethical leadership, compliance frameworks, and effective institutional response
mechanisms to safeguard public resources and improve service delivery outcomes. The training reaffirmed the Committee’s critical role in providing independent oversight,promoting sound risk management practices, and supporting the Authority’s commitment to good governance and responsible stewardship.
Under Mwongozo – the Code of Governance for State Corporations in Kenya, risk management is treated as a core Board responsibility, not simply a management function. Chapter 3 of the Code focuses on Accountability, Risk Management and Internal Control and requires Boards to establish systems that proactively identify, assess, monitor, and respond to risks that may affect achievement of institutional
Objectives.
Key provisions of Mwongozo on risk management include:
Develop and approve a Risk Management Policy that addresses not only operational and financial risks, but also sustainability, ethics, and compliance risks.
Define the Board’s responsibility for risk management within the Board Charter.
Approve a Risk Management Framework and delegate implementation to management while retaining oversight responsibility.
Monitor risk exposure against approved risk appetite and tolerance levels to ensure risks remain within acceptable limits.
Review implementation of the risk management framework quarterly to confirm effectiveness and emerging risks.
Establish a dedicated risk management function and appoint a committee responsible for risk oversight within the organization.
Ensure continuous risk assessment rather than periodic or reactive reviews.
Receive assurance from Internal Audit and Management that internal controls and risk management systems are effective and integrated into daily operations.
Mwongozo positions the Board Risk and Audit Committee as a key governance organ that supports the Board in strengthening internal controls, enhancing accountability, preventing corruption risks, and protecting public resources through structured risk
oversight. The Authority’s team was led by Board Chairperson Dr. Jane Mwikali. Also present were Directors Duncan Gituma; Chairman of the Board Audit Committee Dr. Kipseng’eret Koros, Mr. Leonard Maritim, and Mr. Abraham Koech. The Authority remains committed to embedding integrity, accountability, and ethical leadership across its operations to ensure efficient implementation of its mandate in advancing water harvesting and storage infrastructure for sustainable national development.