Kenya targets doubling irrigated land to boost food security by 2028 By Citizen Reporter June 03, 2026 03:35 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho speaking during the Head of Public …
… Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho presented the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) 2025–2035 on Wednesday, June 3, during the Head of Public Service Monthly Meeting at Konza Technopolis, outlining how the state intends to nearly double irrigated …
Ruto highlights irrigation expansion as key pillar of food security agenda By Citizen Reporter June 01, 2026 07:28 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Principal Secretary for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho joi …
… Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho, who attended the celebrations, will oversee delivery of the programme alongside other infrastructure projects the President outlined. …
Gov’t launches nationwide rice survey to boost production, cut import bill by Ksh.56B By Joseph Muia May 21, 2026 09:20 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho in a past address. …
… e Survey for Rice Production on Thursday under the Rice Deficit Reduction Programme.Irrigation Secretary in charge of Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience and Irrigation Water Management, Joel Tanui, led the launch on behalf of Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho …
… Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho received a progress briefing on the review on Wednesday in Nairobi, where a technical team outlined milestones achieved and stakeholder consultations completed.The department said the review will focus on eliminating duplication …
PS Kimotho leads irrigation policy review to support Ruto’s 2 million acres plan By Joseph Muia May 13, 2026 10:54 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho after recei …
… ange), Abraham Sing'Oei (Foreign Affairs) and Patrick Mariru (Defence), alongside members of the public on Saturday, April 25."The Run for Oloolua to raise the money is part of our solution to protect every kilometre that remains unprotected for our next generation," said Kimotho …
Kenya plans to nearly double the acreage under irrigation from 664,000 acres in 2021/2022 to 1.29 million acres by 2027/2028, according to the State Department for Irrigation's National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan. The expansion is aimed at enhancing food security, increasing agricultural productivity, creating jobs, and building resilience against climate change.
Why it matters
Kenya aims to double irrigated land to 1.29 million acres by 2028 to boost food security, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience.
Kenya plans to nearly double the acreage under irrigation from 664,000 acres in 2021/2022 to 1.29 million acres by 2027/2028, according to the State Department for Irrigation's National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan. The expansion is aimed at enhancing food security, increasing agricultural productivity, creating jobs, and building resilience against climate change.
The government unveiled a 10-year National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan costing Sh598 billion, centred on reviving the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project in the Coast region, with the goal of nearly doubling irrigated land and achieving food self-sufficiency. Once fully operational, Galana Kulalu alone is expected to produce over 14 million bags of maize annually.
President Ruto highlighted irrigation's role in strengthening food security during Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir County, announcing the government's water infrastructure programme of 50 mega dams, 200 medium and small dams, and thousands of micro-dams across the country.
President William Ruto announced plans to bring 2.5 million acres under irrigation within five to seven years through a nationwide programme of 50 mega dams, 200 medium and small dams, and thousands of micro-dam projects, declaring water and irrigation central to northern Kenya's economic transformation. Speaking at Wajir Stadium during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebration, Ruto named priority projects including the Ewaso Nyiro Basin, High Grand Falls Dam, and proposed dams in Mandera, Wajir, and other counties.
Kenya is courting Portugal for financing and private investment to bring one million additional acres under irrigation, seeking technical support and partnership through Portugal's Small Projects Fund and public-private partnerships to support irrigation infrastructure including dams, water systems and canal improvements.
The government has commissioned a National Baseline Survey for Rice Production under the Rice Deficit Reduction Programme to increase local rice output and reduce dependence on imports. The survey will collect data on acreage, irrigation infrastructure, water availability, mechanisation, seed varieties, productivity, post-harvest handling, and market access across major irrigation schemes and emerging rice-growing areas.
Kenya's government has commissioned a national baseline survey on rice production to address an annual rice deficit of 700,000 metric tonnes and reduce imports costing more than Sh56 billion. The survey will assess acreage, irrigation infrastructure, water availability, mechanisation, seed varieties, and other factors across major rice-producing schemes as part of the Rice Deficit Reduction Programme.
Kenya has launched a review of its 2017 National Irrigation Policy after acknowledging that the framework failed to keep pace with sector reforms including the 2019 Irrigation Act and restructuring of the National Irrigation Board. The review aims to eliminate duplication, close institutional gaps, strengthen governance and improve coordination in irrigation development.
The government has commenced a review of the National Irrigation Policy to support President Ruto's target of expanding irrigated agriculture by two million acres and strengthening food security. The review, led by Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho nearly a decade after the current policy was developed in 2017, aims to address policy, legal, institutional and operational gaps that have limited the effectiveness of the current framework.
A 10,000-person community run at Oloolua Forest in Kajiado County on April 25 aims to raise Sh70 million to fence the 680-hectare woodland against land grabbers and encroachment. The forest, which sustains water and livelihoods for more than four million Nairobi residents, has suffered losses to illegal dumping and the Standard Gauge Railway.
Kenya's government kicked off the 'Run for Oloolua' initiative to restore and protect Oloolua Forest, which faces threats from encroachment and degradation. The programme includes planting 10,000 tree seedlings, installing waste segregation points, promoting clean energy technologies in surrounding communities, and supporting climate-smart agriculture in the Ngong area, targeting benefits for about 1.5 million people.