If there is one innovation that has made Israel stand out is the way in which its citizens harness rainwater for use during dry seasons.

The arid nation that is characterised by extremely hot long summers and short mild winters has perfected technology to ensure every drop of water is utilised while ensuring as little as possible goes to waste. This is a lesson Kenyans need to learn, now that rains have started in many regions.

For instance, Israel has made it mandatory for all buildings to install apparatus to harness rainwater for future use. These range from the construction of a catchment surface, filtration and storage systems.

Just as it is mandatory for every 18-year-old Jew to attend the Synagogue on the Sabbath day (Saturday), so has it become binding for every Israeli to devise ways to preserve water, be it from the rains or other sources. Through the support of their government, nearly every house uses rainwater harvesting and has storage capacity ranging from 100 to 3,000 litres.

But unlike Israel, here in Kenya, few people see the need to harness the large volumes of water that goes to waste during every rainy season. Which means it is time for policy-makers to come up with interventions that can turn the tide.

Quite often than not, it has become a tradition for Kenyans to whine every time there are droughts — which have become more frequent as a result of the effects of climate change. It is during such period that prayers are organised to beseech the Almighty to bring rain.

Interestingly, no sooner does it start raining than Kenyans start imploring the government to save them from floods. In other words, Kenyans are not prepared for anything, be it drought or rains.

Kenya like many other third world countries that depend on rain, rivers and lakes for its water supply has always remained stuck when its natural water sources dry up. Depending on Mother Nature for an important commodity such as water is not only risky but also perilous.

All over the globe, rainwater harvesting has become a viable solution to water security. It is high time the Kenya government enacted a law to make water harvesting mandatory and encourage invention of rainwater harvesting technologies that are area-specific for ease of adoption.