Former KWTA staff to be redeployed following agency's dissolution—Duale
KWTA disbanded its board and reassigned its chairperson and directors to other government positions as part of the dissolution process.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said that employees of the defunct Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA) would be redeployed to various government agencies based on their skills and competencies.
Speaking to former KWTA employees during a meeting at the Kenya Meteorological Department headquarters in Nairobi on Wednesday, Duale assured the workers that their placement would be done in a fair and structured manner.
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He was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Gitonga Mugambi (Forestry) and Festus Ng'eno (Environment and Climate Change).
Duale announced that 68 employees would be redeployed to the Environment and Climate Change State Department, while 45 others would join the Forestry State Department.
The ministry considered several factors when finalising the placement list, including qualifications, rank, experience, and disability, as well as the staff's current duty stations.
"I urge you all to continue adhering to the public service code of conduct and the principles of good governance as you transition into your new roles," Duale told the former staff members, emphasising the importance of professionalism and integrity.
Expired legal mandate
The dissolution of KWTA in December 2024 followed the expiration of its legal mandate and a Cabinet-approved rationalisation of state corporations with overlapping functions.
The KWTA, which was established through Legal Notice No. 27 in 2012, had a mandate to oversee the conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainable management of Kenya's water towers.
However, its role often overlapped with agencies such as the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), leading to inefficiencies.
The KWTA disbanded its board and reassigned its chairperson and directors to other government positions as part of the dissolution process.
Duale then directed the principal secretaries for Environment and Climate Change and Forestry to expedite the ongoing audit of KWTA's assets, liabilities, and staff complement.
The restructuring was positively received by stakeholders in the environment sector, who see it as a step toward more effective service delivery and improved governance in managing the country's natural resources.
Duale reiterated that the dissolution of KWTA was part of efforts to enhance efficiency and ensure better management of public resources.
The redistribution of resources and personnel from KWTA to existing agencies like KFS, KEFRI, and NEMA is expected to improve coordination and strengthen these agencies' ability to manage Kenya's natural resources.
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