Vision
Sustainable provision of adequate and wholesome water services, natural resource utilization for economic development, and access to a clean and secure environment

Mission
To protect, conserve and improve access to adequate and safe water and other natural resources for a sustainable socio-economic development

Performance Overview and Background for Programme(s) Funding
Natural resource-based activities and products are critical for socio-economic development of this county and the country at large. This therefore means that environmental protection, conservation and management of our natural resources require sound management and capacity building of community and government institutions and/or structures that are critical in supporting sustainable management of these resources.
During the MTEF period 2016/17-2017/18, the Department realized the following achievements: purchase of two (2) garbage collection refuse trucks, construction of dumpsite at Wamba to address solid waste management; environmental sanitation in all major towns and livestock markets, protection of water catchment areas; increasing forest cover through supporting school greening programme; carrying out surveys on green energy potentials and promote them; protection and conservation of water catchment areas, strengthening of institutions such as Water Resource User Associations(WRUAs) in Wamba East and Nyiro wards, Sand harvesting groups in Archers post, and development of soil conservation structures (such as gabions and terraces) to control soil erosion in Ngilai area of Samburu East.
The department in partnership with Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) also carried out capacity building on Holistic Rangeland Management at Seyia Area (Kirimon Group Ranch). This involved training and practical demonstrations of Group Ranch, Community Conservancies and Grazing Management committees on the concept of holistic management for planned grazing.
Going forward in the MTEF period 2018/19- 2019/20, the department requires resources to fund intervention measures geared towards protection, conservation and sustainable management of the environment and natural resources.
We will strive to continue supporting sanitation and solid waste management in the county; rehabilitation of degraded areas and control of invasive plant species, and promotion of other sustainable land management approaches; undertake natural resource inventory as well as establishment, training and strengthening of natural resource management institutions such as Water Resource User Associations (WRUAs), Sand harvesting groups, Charcoal Producers Associations (CPA’s), and Community Forest Associations (CFA’s) in the county. The department will also strive to enter into Public Private Partnerships with investors interested in sustainable development and exploitation of Non-Timber Forest products; mining and mineral products, and Green energy activities as the county has great potential on these resources. These programmes once implemented will have an impact of achieving clean and secure environment for every citizen; mitigation of climate change effects; creation of employment opportunities for youth, women and vulnerable groups in the society; and provision of alternative livelihoods to communities thus helping in the protection of rangelands and forests resources.
The department is also being a core sector in realization of the county mission of providing quality life is charged with the responsibility of facilitating, provision of sustainable water accessibility.
In current financial year 2017/2018 key projects being implemented includes; equipping of 30 No Boreholes across the county, Construction of storm water management drainage structure at Nyiro, Suguta Marmar and Nyiro.
The key challenges during the period include: Late disbursement of funds, inadequate financial resources due to limited resources ceiling for the sector, inadequate human resource (Technical personnel).
Despite of the above challenges the sector will continue to utilize its available resources to ensure effective and efficient way of implementation of the projects and activities within its mandate for the set period. In the 2018-2019 FY the sector will strive towards ensuring the following programmes have exhaustively been adhered to:-
• Ground water exploration and utilization
• Construction and Repair of water works for distribution
• Construction/ disilting of Dams and Pans
• Provision of water services through Trucking and Purchase of storage tanks
• Rainwater Harvesting through artificial catchments and storage
• Sewerage System and exhauster services in Major Towns
• Storm Water Management in Major towns