The Centre for Integrated Water and Basin management (CIWAB) was established in 2017 as knowledge exchange centre under the Division of Research and Extension, Egerton University and affiliated to the department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology. It was supported by The Netherlands Embassy through The Mau Mara Serengeti Project (MaMaSe) (2014-2017). As a knowledge exchange centre, CIWAB focuses on knowledge development and dissemination with emphasis on water security and ecosystem sustainability. To realize this, CIWAB undertakes applied research and outreach programmes through trainings and capacity building of policy makers, practitioners and end users of natural resources especially water resources.

The strategic direction is provided by the vision and mission which ensures that the center remains focused in executing its functions as guided by the thematic areas and emerging technologies. Along with these are the core values which enables the center to maintain good practices and promotes confidence building. These are outlined below

Honesty: Committed to operate in an honest, accountable and transparent manner in all undertakings.

Professionalism: Commitment to the highest levels of achievement obtainable through competence and critical skills and independent position as fact-driven institute

Teamwork: Excel in teamwork and collaboration both within CIWAB and partners.

The purpose of CIWAB is to create knowledge for improvement of water security essential for economic growth, livelihoods and ecosystem sustainability.  

1.Improve the knowledge base of water resources and the basin area 

2.Enhance water security through adoption of  integrated methodologies and techniques

3.Promote informed decision making  to sustain water availability and basin health

4. Promote collaboration and inclusiveness in water sharing and use

5. Strengthen compliance and responsiveness in utilization of basin resources

The CIWAB is anchored in the Division of Research and Extension of Egerton University, which is coordinated by the Director Research and Extension.  The day today running of the centre is carried out by the centre coordinator together with associated resources persons. The details of the structure are shown in the organogram

CIWAB operates as a semi-autonomous institutions and does not received funding from the University. Instead it mobilises its own resources through proposal development, trainings and partner support. Since its establishment in 2017 it has attracted a number of projects some of which have been completed while others are still on-going. In addition it has developed and executed a number of trainings singly or with involvement of partners.

CIWAB also supports operations of the Faculty and the University as part of its CSR by availing its facilities for use by staff and students. These include use of equipment for teaching and training, use of project vehicle for field trips by staff post graduate students and use of conference facilities for meeting and presentations. It has also improved the facilities in the FET resource with 6 all in one new computes, teaching aids, 50 license ARC GIS software valid for three years and internet connection through wifi and local area network. The latter also applies to the FET conference room and faculty building including staff offices.