Governors have called for the immediate release of funds to counties, to accelerate the implementation of a major land and watershed restoration programme, warning that administrative delays could undermine its five-year objectives.

Speaking during the launch of the Kenya Watershed Services Improvement Project (KEWASIP) in Nairobi, Monday, Laikipia Governor. Joshua Irungu, who also chairs the Council of Governors Water and Natural Resources Committee, urged the national government, to ensure that resources reach County governments, without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.

Irungu said, counties were ready to implement the programme, but stressed that its success would depend on timely disbursement of funds, effective coordination and the involvement of local communities.

“We are coming here on behalf of the Council of Governors, to give our commitment to this programme, that we are ready to support and make sure that this programme, is well implemented,” he said.

He challenged the national government to make the launch meaningful by ensuring that the resources allocated to the programme are immediately transferred to the respective county accounts.

The Governor further warned against spending too much time on boardroom meetings and administrative processes at the expense of actual implementation, noting that communities were more interested in tangible improvements in their livelihoods.

“What will count to the people is whether they have water and whether there is livelihood improvement in their households. That is what they are really looking for,” Irungu added.

He also called for faster approval of County Project Coordination Units, arguing that many of the proposed teams already had experience implementing other World Bank-supported programmes and should therefore not be subjected to prolonged capacity-building processes.

The programme targets 12 counties across five watersheds, with interventions focusing on restoring degraded landscapes, improving water management and strengthening community livelihoods.

Among the proposed interventions are water-harvesting structures, construction of water ponds and dams, watershed rehabilitation and upstream restoration.

These initiatives are expected to improve water availability, support agricultural activities and strengthen livestock production, particularly in drought-prone areas.

Governor Irungu further urged implementing agencies to consult communities at the grassroots, emphasising that every county has unique environmental conditions and therefore requires solutions suited to its needs.

He said the programme could also create economic opportunities through the promotion of income-generating tree species and crops such as coffee, avocado, macadamia and cashew nuts.

With counties expressing readiness to participate, the governor maintained that the priority should now shift from planning to action, insisting that successful implementation would be measured by improved access to water, restored landscapes and better livelihoods for ordinary citizens.

By John Brighton