Water is the most important requirement in the lives of all living things. Indeed water is life, water is food, water is health, yet water is energy. Water has no substitute. However, knowledge to guide the development and management of water in exists but it is scattered among universities, Government Ministries, NGOs, other institutions and individuals. The need for a dedicated scientific research Center to guide water sector issues in this changing world has been expressed in various forums and meetings
In view of this, JKUAT took the initiative to establish the first Water Research and Resource Center (WARREC) in Kenya. Starting small and intended to grow to national and international stature, this center is dedicated to research, science and technology, as well as policy and institutional support to the broad waterissues.
The WARREC Director is Prof. Bancy M. Mati. The Center was launched on the 14 December 2011 at the African Institute for Capacity and Development (AICAD) attended by the Director of the Ministry of water, Director DAAD, Prof.Kahangi (DVC RPE), and in the presence of stakeholders in the water sector.
Prof B. Mati, Director WARREC
The mission of WARREC is to conduct research in the broad fields of water resources planning, development and management and to facilitate innovations and knowledge to serve diverse stakeholder groups. Its specific mandate is to : conduct research, offer scientific advice, influence policy, support graduate training at post-graduate level, capacity building and offer scientific communication.
JKUAT is committed to research and innovation with research efforts being well coordinated through the Research, Production and Extension (RPE) Division. WARREC will be hosted within the Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department (BEED) with a vision to grow to a self sustaining national institution. BEED has extensive experience in various water disciplines including: watershed modeling, irrigation and management, 
water harvesting, water and sanitation, hydrological and sediment flow assessment, soil and water conservation, wastewater management, GIS and Remote sensing, Climate change and Adaptation studies, Policy development in water, irrigation and ASAL sectors, e.t.c.