In a radical and proactive move to address chronic water scarcity, the Kenyan parliament has passed a groundbreaking law mandating rainwater harvesting for all new residential, commercial, and public buildings with a roof area exceeding 100 square meters. The legislation, a first of its kind in East Africa, requires property developers to install appropriate guttering, downpipes, and storage tanks capable of capturing and storing runoff from rooftop rainfall. This transformative policy is designed to leverage Kenya’s often intense but underutilized rainy seasons, aiming to boost national water security, reduce strain on overburdened municipal water systems, and build resilience against the increasingly frequent and severe droughts linked to climate change.
The implementation of the law will be phased, with the National Water Harvesting Authority providing technical standards and guidelines for tank sizing, filtration, and safe water usage for non-potable purposes like irrigation, flushing toilets, and cleaning. The mandate is expected to catalyze a new green economy, creating thousands of jobs in the manufacturing, distribution, and installation of rainwater harvesting systems. For urban households, the initial investment is projected to be offset by significant reductions in water bills, while for rural communities and schools, the policy promises a more reliable water source, potentially reducing the time women and children spend fetching water and improving public health outcomes. The government is also exploring incentive schemes, including tax breaks, to encourage retrofitting of existing buildings.
The long-term vision for this policy is to fundamentally reshape Kenya’s relationship with its water resources. By making rainwater harvesting a mainstream feature of the built environment, the country aims to create a decentralized, resilient water infrastructure that can buffer communities against both drought and flooding. Environmental experts also highlight the secondary benefit of reducing stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants into rivers and causes urban flooding. While challenges remain in enforcement, public awareness, and ensuring affordability for low-income households, this bold legislative step positions Kenya as a regional leader in climate adaptation. It signals a decisive shift from crisis management to strategic investment in a water-secure future, turning the roofs of the nation into a collective, life-sustaining resource.