Water utility wins agriculture and water governance award

A public water service provider has received national recognition for its institutional management after winning the Agriculture and Water Sector Award at the 2026 Champions of Governance Awards.

The award, presented by the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS Kenya), recognises the institution’s performance in governance, accountability, transparency and leadership in the delivery of public services.

The recognition highlights the importance of corporate governance in managing water utilities, particularly as providers face increasing pressure to expand water supply, improve sanitation infrastructure and manage limited financial and natural resources.

The institution said the award reflected its commitment to strengthening accountability, improving institutional leadership and maintaining transparency in its operations.

It also credited its board, management, employees and stakeholders for contributing to the achievement through their involvement in strengthening institutional performance.

For public water utilities, governance plays an important role in ensuring that resources allocated to water and sanitation projects are properly managed and that investments translate into improved services for consumers.

Strong oversight mechanisms can also help utilities improve financial management, strengthen procurement processes and maintain accountability in the implementation of infrastructure projects.

The recognition comes at a time when Kenya’s water sector continues to face challenges involving infrastructure financing, non-revenue water, inadequate sewerage coverage and the need to extend services to underserved communities.

Water service providers are increasingly expected to demonstrate transparency in how they manage public resources while improving operational efficiency and responding to consumer needs.

The Champions of Governance Awards provide a platform for recognising institutions and organisations demonstrating commitment to governance standards and responsible leadership.

The Institute of Certified Secretaries, which organises the awards, promotes good governance practices, professional standards and effective institutional management across different sectors.

For the water sector, the recognition also draws attention to the relationship between institutional accountability and the sustainability of water supply and sanitation services.

As utilities pursue infrastructure expansion and operational improvements, effective governance remains important in building public confidence and ensuring that service delivery commitments are met.

The award-winning institution said it would continue working with its board, management, employees and stakeholders to strengthen governance practices and improve the quality and sustainability of water and sanitation services.

However, the long-term significance of the recognition will ultimately depend on how governance commitments translate into measurable improvements in service reliability, financial accountability and access to water and sanitation for the communities served.