Take a water dispute or appeal to the Water Tribunal
Judiciary Tribunals · sources read 4 Oct 2026
To appeal a decision of the Water Resources Authority, the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) or the Cabinet Secretary, or to settle a contract dispute over water services, file with the Water Tribunal on the Judiciary e-filing portal. Cases should be decided within 180 days.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- Cases should be decided within 180 days of filing; judgment within 60 days after the hearing
- Deadline
- 21 days from the Tribunal's decision to appeal to the Environment and Land Court.
- Where
- Online on the Judiciary e-filing portal (efiling.court.go.ke). Office: Water Tribunal, Kenya Re Towers, Ground Floor, Upper Hill, Nairobi. Email watertr@court.go.ke.
What you need
- A Statement of Claim (for a dispute) or Memorandum of Appeal (against a decision), with your supporting documents
Steps
- Prepare a Statement of Claim or Memorandum of Appeal and gather your supporting documents.
- File it on the Judiciary e-filing portal (efiling.court.go.ke) under the Water Tribunal.
- Serve the other side (the respondent) with a copy and your documents.
- Stuck with e-filing? Go to the nearest court station or email watertr@court.go.ke.
Watch out
- You can't run the same case in another court at the same time. Withdraw it there first or have it transferred.
- You don't need a lawyer, and you can speak Kiswahili at the hearing.
- Unhappy with the Tribunal's decision? You can appeal to the Environment and Land Court within 21 days, but only on a point of law.
Who can apply
- Anyone directly affected by a decision or order of the Water Resources Authority, WASREB or the Cabinet Secretary for water.
- Parties to a business contract over water resources or water services, unless the contract sends disputes elsewhere.
Official sources (3)
- Tribunals Frequently Asked Questions tribunals.judiciary.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Water Tribunal (Tribunals website) tribunals.judiciary.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Water Act, 2016 (No. 43 of 2016) wasreb.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026