Deadlines to appeal a WRA or WASREB decision to the Water Tribunal
Water Act, 2016 · sources read 4 Oct 2026
If you are unhappy with a Water Resources Authority (WRA) decision, such as on your water permit, you have 14 days from the decision to appeal to the Water Tribunal. A Tribunal decision can then be appealed to the Environment and Land Court on a point of law within 21 days.
- How long
- Cases should be heard and decided within 180 days of filing, with judgment within 60 days after the hearing ends.
- Deadline
- 14 days from a WRA decision to appeal to the Water Tribunal.
- Deadline
- 30 days from being notified of a WASREB decision on a licence application or objection.
- Deadline
- 21 days from a Water Tribunal decision to appeal to the Environment and Land Court.
- Where
- Water Tribunal, Kenya Re Towers, Ground Floor, Upperhill, Nairobi (watertr@court.go.ke), or file online on the Judiciary e-filing portal
Steps
- File your appeal with the Water Tribunal on the Judiciary e-filing portal within the time limit.
- Serve the other side with a copy of your Memorandum of Appeal and supporting documents.
- Stuck with e-filing? Visit the nearest court station or contact the Tribunal by phone or email.
- Unhappy with the Tribunal's decision? Appeal to the Environment and Land Court on a point of law within 21 days.
Watch out
- A decision of WRA, WASREB, a basin body or the Tribunal that nobody appeals within 30 days becomes binding on everyone involved.
- The Tribunal can confirm, cancel or change the decision you appeal against.
- The appeal to the Environment and Land Court is only on an issue of law, not a fresh look at the facts.
Who this covers
- Anyone unhappy with a decision of the Water Resources Authority.
- Any person or institution directly affected by a decision or order of the Cabinet Secretary, WRA or the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB).
- Parties to a business contract over water resources or water services, unless they agreed on another way to settle disputes.
Official sources (3)
- Water Act, 2016 (No. 43 of 2016) new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- The Water Act, 2016 (official PDF copy) waterauthority.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Tribunals: Frequently Asked Questions tribunals.judiciary.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026