Kenya Set To Make Irrigation A Driver Of Development

IWMI supports Kenya’s public sector to build evidence-driven, inclusive and climate-resilient irrigation systems aligned with the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan.

Kenya’s irrigation sector stands at a pivotal moment. Climate pressures such as droughts and floods are intensifying, national development ambitions are expanding, and the demand for more reliable water access is growing across countries. To meet these challenges, the government has set out the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) as its roadmap to expand irrigated land, strengthen water governance and uplift rural economies.

To translate this ambition into impact, the State Department for Irrigation under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation (MoWSI) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on December 11. With support from the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program, the partnership brings together evidence, expertise and institutional mandate to accelerate Kenya’s irrigation transformation.

“This MoU establishes a strategic partnership aimed at improving water management while at the same time expanding irrigation development and strengthening resilience for farmers across the country,” said Ephantus Kimotho, principal secretary at the State Department of Irrigation.

Evidence-driven and equitable approach to irrigation development
IWMI and Kenyan officials are working to implement the NISIP by refining the policy and governance frameworks that guide investment across the sector. The partnership places particular emphasis on inclusion so that smallholder farmers — particularly women, youth and those from marginalized groups — benefit from irrigation expansion in the country.

Strengthening analytical capacity is also a priority. For example, the Water Availability and Demand platform that was co-developed by IWMI and the National Irrigation Authority, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) provides insights into efficient land and water use. The platform enables national and country technical experts to map water availability, assess agricultural demand and identify opportunities for storage and irrigation expansion.

Innovative investment models for irrigation services
Financing remains another cornerstone of transformation. To expand irrigation services, it requires substantial and sustained investment that is fair, reliable and accessible.

The Kenyan administration, IWMI, and development partners are exploring innovative, blended financing models to unlock larger and more resilient funding resources. This includes efforts to combine public, private and development finance for irrigation. Under the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan, the project plans to accelerate irrigation investment by leveraging climate funds and carbon credits to support the scaling of green technologies and structure collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Central to these efforts is the development of fair and sustainable water tariffs by the government. Such tariffs support efficient use, cover infrastructure maintenance costs, promote equity and keep irrigation affordable. Together, these measures will strengthen the sector’s foundations and make it financially viable over time.

Scaling solutions for climate resilience
Technology is equally pivotal in translating plans into tangible improvements for smallholder farmers. Two areas stand out: solar-powered irrigation and environmentally sound water management.

Kenya is already a regional leader in solar-powered solutions, accounting for over 65% of solar water pump sales in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet wider adoption remains constrained by policy gaps, limited financing and uneven technical capacity.

Through the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program and the Solar Energy for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) project, IWMI and partners are addressing these barriers to expand solar technologies across the agricultural value chain – — from water pumping to drying, milling and cold storage.

Partnerships with the National Irrigation Authority, Strathmore University, GOGLA and private-sector innovators will create favorable conditions for increased solar adoption.

As irrigation expands, environmental safeguards also remain integral. IWMI is collaborating with the National Environmental Management Authority so that environmental stewardship is embedded in irrigation expansion plans. These include promoting wastewater treatment and safe reuse for agriculture, turning waste into a resource, and advancing nature-based solutions to boost resilience. Such approaches will help Kenya grow its irrigation footprint without compromising environmental integrity. “Signing the MoU is just the beginning. What matters now is the work our teams will do together: developing joint plans, implementing solutions on the ground, strengthening capacities, and demonstrating early, tangible results for farmers and communities,” said Abdulkarim Seid, IWMI’s regional representative for East Africa.