This dialogue provided an opportunity for the Kenyan stakeholders to have internal consultations on the draft Sio-Malaba-Malakisi (SMM) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Rules of Procedure as a follow up action point from the third SMM Joint Working Group Meeting held in November 2020 with a view to having a common understanding and ownership at the national level.  

With the active participation of over 20 delegates drawn from the various Ministries (such as Water, Irrigation and Sanitation; Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Environment and Forestry; and Attorney General’s Office), National Authorities such as Water Resources Authority (WRA) and National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA); Counties bordering the SMM basin such as Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia; IGAD Secretariat; and IUCN discussed the content of the draft SMM MoU to ensure it is aligned with the Kenyan legal and institutional framework. 

      Photo: IUCN ESARO

Speaking on behalf of IGAD Secretariat, Mr. Fred Mwango, Regional Water Expert said: “Well-managed and developed transboundary water resources are critical in promoting regional cooperation, peace and development. While the Management of Transboundary Waters is the mandate of the national government, on the ground the community, county government and relevant institutions monitor activities. This consultative meeting brings in the voices of all stakeholders to review the draft SMM MoU, allowing us to move towards a win-win scenario in benefit sharing and management of shared water resources for the SMM basin”.

Ms. Gladys Wekesa, Director, Transboundary Water Resources, Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation of the Republic of Kenya noted that Inter-Ministerial meetings at basin level had taken place prior to the meeting and comments from various stakeholders incorporated in the draft.

Participants proposed and agreed on amendments to the draft MoU and developed a roadmap to guide the next steps including incorporating all comments and sharing the revised draft MoU and feedback on the Rules of Procedures with IGAD Secretariat and IUCN, who will then arrange for a regional dialogue for the two countries to harmonize their ideas, finalize and sign off the SMM MoU and subsequently implement its provisions for the management and development of the SMM transboundary basin.

Ms. Caroline Nyamamu, Regional Communications and Constituency officer for IUCN ESARO reiterated IUCN’s commitment to supporting successful management of transboundary water resources in the region and expressed that “The development of the SMM MoU is an important milestone for Kenya and Uganda. We shall continue working together with the IGAD Secretariat and the IGAD Member States to support successful completion of the process.”