KEWI, Ministry of Water Align Performance Contract Targets, Set Course for KEWI's Financial Year 2026/2027 Priorities
The Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) hosted the Financial Year 2026/2027 Performance Contract Negotiation Meeting with the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation (MWSI) at its Nairobi Campus, marking the commencement of the annual performance contracting process that aligns the Institute's strategic priorities with national development goals.
The meeting was presided over by the Senior Deputy Director, Research, Strategy & Business Development, Dr. Ayao Onsindu, on behalf of the Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Leiro Letangule, EBS. Welcoming the participants, Dr. Onsindu expressed appreciation for the continued commitment and support demonstrated by both the Ministry and KEWI staff in advancing the Institute's mandate.
In his remarks, Dr. Onsindu underscored the importance of the performance contracting exercise as a key government mechanism for evaluating institutional performance and promoting accountability in public service. He emphasized the need for departments to develop Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) targets that would challenge the Institute to achieve higher levels of performance. He noted that the proposed targets had been drawn from the KEWI Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and encouraged participants to approach the negotiations positively, with a shared commitment to delivering meaningful results.
Leading the negotiations on behalf of the Ministry, Mr. Rolex Kirui, Chief Economist in the State Department for Water and Sanitation, highlighted the government's expectation that Ministries, Departments and Agencies remain focused on delivering their core mandates. He explained that for the 2026/2027 financial year, core mandate indicators account for 67 per cent of the performance contract score, while the productivity index contributes 10 per cent, reflecting the government's emphasis on service delivery and efficiency.
Mr. Kirui called for improved institutional performance compared to previous financial years and stressed the importance of active involvement by top management throughout the negotiation process. He outlined the key reference documents guiding the exercise, including the 23rd Cycle Performance Contracting Guidelines, the Draft Performance Contract for FY 2026/2027, the approved budget, procurement plan, annual work plan and the KEWI Strategic Plan 2023–2027.
He further advised that all performance targets should be growth-oriented, outcome-driven and aligned with the Kenya Water Institute Act, the Water Act, the Institute's Strategic Plan, approved work plans and budget. He also emphasized the need for the Governing Council and management to cascade the performance contract from the Director/CEO to departmental heads to strengthen accountability across the institution.
Mr. Kirui noted that the negotiation process ensures the performance contract complies with government guidelines while supporting national development priorities, including the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Kenya Vision 2030 flagship programmes, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) 2023–2027. He commended KEWI for preparing a strong draft performance contract, encouraged the Institute to submit the final document within the stipulated timelines, and advised management to begin reviewing the Strategic Plan in readiness for the mid-term review. He reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to supporting KEWI in achieving its performance targets during the financial year.
The meeting brought together senior management from KEWI and officials from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, reflecting the collaborative commitment of both institutions to strengthening performance management, enhancing accountability and delivering quality services to Kenya's water, sanitation and irrigation sector.