Kenya Minute.
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Ephantus Kimotho

Also known as: Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho · CPA Ephantus Kimotho · Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho

Irrigation Principal Secretary who commissioned micro irrigation projects and oversaw irrigation expansion initiatives across Kenya's counties.

2026-04-252026-07-28

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. The Standard

    Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho announced the target on Monday, July 6, during the inaugural Sustainable Irrigation Scaling Coordination Convening in Nairobi, co-hosted by the State Department for Irrigation and the Gates Foundation.

    PS Kimotho: Kenya to add one million irrigated acres by 2035
  3. June 2026
  4. Citizen Digital

    Gov't secures Ksh.3B German funding to boost smallholder irrigation projects By Joseph Muia June 25, 2026 10:06 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho during the G2G Development Coop

    Gov't secures Ksh.3B German funding to boost smallholder irrigation projects
  5. The Standard

    National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo led the Kenyan delegation during the government-to-government negotiations, while Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho advocated for increased support for smallholder irrigation development.Joachim Schmitt, head of div

    Kenya, Germany strike deal on smallholder irrigation expansion
  6. The Standard

    Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho launched construction of the Hirimani Bridges at Villages 2 and 6 on Monday, June 15, and distributed Green Cards covering more than 2,000 acres, giving smallholders secure tenure for the first time.

    Govt allocates Sh55m for bridges as 720 Bura families get land cards
  7. Citizen Digital

    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

    Kenya targets doubling irrigated land to boost food security by 2028
  8. The Standard

    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

    Kenya bets Sh598bn on Galana Kulalu revival to end food imports
  9. Citizen Digital

    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

    Ruto highlights irrigation expansion as key pillar of food security agenda
  10. The Standard

    Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho, who attended the celebrations, will oversee delivery of the programme alongside other infrastructure projects the President outlined.

    Ruto bets on water for northern Kenya at historic Madaraka Day
  11. May 2026
  12. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeEphantus Kimotho (left) with Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Neves Pocinho during talks at the Embassy of Portugal in Nairobi.

    Kenya eyes Portugal funds, investors for one-million-acre irrigation plan
  13. Citizen Digital

    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.

    Gov’t launches nationwide rice survey to boost production, cut import bill by Ksh.56B
Agriculture & Land

Uasin Gishu irrigation scheme completed, to benefit 700 households

The News

The Lower Sabor Irrigation Scheme in Moiben Constituency, with 280 acres under irrigation, is now operational and expected to generate about Ksh.70 million annually while directly benefiting more than 700 households and indirectly benefiting about 3,000 more people through agricultural value-chain opportunities.

11 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 11 July

  1. Uasin Gishu irrigation scheme completed, to benefit 700 households

    The Lower Sabor Irrigation Scheme in Moiben Constituency, with 280 acres under irrigation, is now operational and expected to generate about Ksh.70 million annually while directly benefiting more than 700 households and indirectly benefiting about 3,000 more people through agricultural value-chain opportunities.

    11 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. PS Kimotho commissions micro irrigation project in Uasin Gishu

    Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho commissioned a micro irrigation project at Kapkoi Primary School in Uasin Gishu County, which includes a solar-powered borehole, water storage tank, drip-irrigated greenhouses, and community water kiosks. The project is intended to improve food security, sanitation, and promote climate-smart agriculture in the learning institution.

    11 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. West Pokot schools use solar irrigation for year-round food

    A government irrigation project at Kapkoi Primary School in West Pokot County has installed a solar-powered borehole and drip-irrigated greenhouses to supply water to two schools and support year-round vegetable production. The project aims to improve access to clean water and sanitation, lower school feeding costs, and provide practical learning opportunities in horticulture and climate-smart agriculture.

    11 July 2026 · The Standard

  4. Lower Sabor irrigation scheme frees 700 households from rainfall dependence

    A Sh288.6 million government-funded irrigation project in Moiben Constituency has brought 280 acres under irrigation, allowing more than 700 Uasin Gishu households to grow crops year-round and reduce weather-related losses. The scheme is expected to generate about Sh70 million annually from agricultural production.

    11 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Government launches Ksh.10B projects in Ol Kalou before by-election

    The government has launched development projects worth more than Ksh.10 billion in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County, ahead of the July 16 by-election, including two fishing boats worth Ksh.5 million. The opposition contends the projects are being rolled out to influence voters ahead of the election.

    7 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Over 1,000 Nyandarua farmers benefit from 500-acre irrigation project

    The Gwa Kiongo Irrigation Project in Mirangine Ward, Ol Kalou will provide 1,000 farmers with reliable water access through piping networks, enabling up to three cropping seasons annually and boosting production of high-value crops, household incomes, and climate resilience, according to Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho.

    7 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Gwa Kiongo dam project to enable year-round farming in Nyandarua

    The Irrigation Principal Secretary announced the government's commitment to expand irrigation infrastructure in Nyandarua County through the Gwa Kiongo Irrigation Project, which will bring 500 acres under irrigation across two phases and enable up to three cropping seasons a year for more than 1,000 farmers. Officials distributed 20,000 fish fingerlings to promote aquaculture as part of efforts to diversify livelihoods and boost food security.

    7 July 2026 · The Standard

Monday 6 July

  1. Government plans 10-year irrigation expansion for food security

    The government has committed to expanding irrigation across the country through the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) 2025–2035, which aims to expand irrigation by one million acres, optimise productivity in existing public schemes, strengthen farmer-led irrigation, and unlock greater private sector investment.

    6 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Government plans 10-year irrigation expansion to boost food security

    The government has committed to expanding irrigation across the country through a 10-year National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (2025–2035) that aims to expand irrigation by one million acres, optimise productivity in existing public schemes, strengthen farmer-led irrigation, and unlock private sector investment as part of efforts to strengthen food security and build climate resilience.

    6 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Government plans Kenyatta Dam desilt project to boost irrigation

    The government has announced plans to desilt Kenyatta Dam in Kuresoi, Nakuru County, to expand irrigation opportunities and provide alternative economic activities for communities around the Mau Forest Complex, while reducing reliance on forest resources.

    6 July 2026 · Capital News

  4. Kenya targets one million new irrigated acres by 2035

    The government aims to expand irrigated land by one million acres over the next decade under the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan 2025-2035, seeking to bridge the gap between Kenya's irrigation potential of more than 3.35 million acres and the current coverage of about 762,000 acres.

    6 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 25 June

  1. Kenya secures €20 million German funding for smallholder irrigation

    The State Department for Irrigation has secured €20 million (approximately Ksh.3 billion) from Germany to support smallholder irrigation development across seven counties, negotiated during Government-to-Government Development Cooperation talks in Berlin.

    25 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Kenya and Germany agree on smallholder irrigation expansion

    Kenya has secured German support to expand smallholder irrigation projects across seven counties in western Kenya's Lake Region Economic Bloc, following bilateral talks in Berlin. The deal builds on a German-backed programme in the Mount Kenya region that has increased agricultural production and farmer incomes.

    25 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 15 June

  1. Government allocates Sh55m for bridges, land cards at Bura Scheme

    The government has allocated Sh55 million to build two bridges at the Bura Irrigation Scheme in Tana River County and issued land ownership cards to 720 farming families covering more than 2,000 acres. The bridges are expected to cut travel time within the scheme, improve surveillance during rainy season, and reduce flooding.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Kenya aims to double irrigated land by 2028

    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.

    3 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Kenya invests Sh598bn in Galana Kulalu to cut food imports

    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.

    3 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 1 June

  1. Ruto pitches irrigation expansion for food security in Wajir

    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.

    1 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Ruto pledges 50 mega dams for northern Kenya irrigation expansion

    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.

    1 June 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 31 May

  1. Kenya seeks Portuguese financing for one-million-acre irrigation expansion

    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.

    31 May 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 21 May

  1. Government launches nationwide rice production survey to reduce imports

    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.

    21 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Government launches rice survey to reduce Sh56bn import costs

    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.

    21 May 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 14 May

  1. Government reviews national irrigation policy after sector gaps emerge

    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.

    14 May 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Government reviews irrigation policy to expand farming by two million acres

    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.

    13 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Sunday 26 April

  1. Community run raises funds to fence Oloolua Forest

    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.

    26 April 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 25 April

  1. Government launches Oloolua Forest restoration and conservation campaign

    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.

    25 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Ephantus Kimotho — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute