Kenya Unveils 10-Year Irrigation Investment Plan to Boost Food Security and Economic Growth

By Njeri Irungu

Kenya has unveiled the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), a 10-year strategic blueprint aimed at transforming the country’s irrigation sector. Launched by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation through the State Department for Irrigation, the plan seeks to mobilize investments from the government, development partners, and the private sector to expand and modernize irrigation infrastructure. Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho emphasized that NISIP is a crucial step in ensuring food security, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting economic growth. Kenya Irrigation Board CEO, Engineer Muasya, highlighted the plan’s role in scaling up irrigation investments and supporting farmers in adopting more efficient water management technologies.

The investment plan sets an ambitious target of expanding Kenya’s total equipped irrigation area from 712,000 acres to 1,712,000 acres over the next decade. This will be achieved through a mix of farmer-led micro-irrigation, large-scale corporate partnerships, and improvements to public irrigation schemes. Additionally, NISIP aims to enhance the productivity and profitability of 300,000 acres of existing public and community irrigation schemes while also increasing food and fodder production in arid and semi-arid regions, covering 140,000 acres of rangeland.

To achieve these targets, NISIP outlines several strategic investment pathways. It promotes farmer-led irrigation development by encouraging smallholder farmers to adopt micro-irrigation technologies with government support. Existing public irrigation schemes will be strengthened through better governance and management, ensuring that farmers have access to affordable and sustainable water services. The plan also seeks to create an enabling environment for large-scale corporate agribusiness investments in irrigation by improving land access, streamlining regulations, and facilitating co-funding mechanisms. In arid and semi-arid lands, the plan focuses on increasing water availability for food and fodder production through small and medium-scale water storage, flood-spate irrigation, and underground water access. Additionally, NISIP aims to maximize the benefits of community-led irrigation by strengthening management structures and enterprise development while also supporting new irrigation schemes with innovative financing models.

The expected impact of NISIP is significant. By implementing these strategies, Kenya anticipates a 200-300% increase in crop yields and a doubling of farming profits. The economic benefits are expected to have a multiplier effect, generating growth across the agricultural sector and improving livelihoods. Enhanced irrigation will also help mitigate the effects of climate change, ensuring a more stable food supply even in times of drought.

The plan requires an estimated KSh 598 billion (USD 4.6 billion) in funding, with 39% expected from the government and international donors, while the private sector is projected to contribute 61%. Key stakeholders in the plan’s implementation include government ministries, county governments, private agribusinesses, financial institutions, civil society organizations, irrigation service providers, and farmers.

With NISIP now in motion, the next steps involve securing approvals, establishing budget allocations, and coordinating institutional efforts. Capacity-building programs will be rolled out to enhance irrigation service delivery, and co-financing agreements will be pursued with private investors and development partners. By focusing on sustainable irrigation development, Kenya is positioning itself as a leader in climate-smart agriculture, ensuring food security, economic growth, and improved livelihoods for millions of people.