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Saturday, 13 June 2026
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Saturday, 13 June 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Ephantus Kimotho

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

Irrigation PS leading the government's review of Kenya's National Irrigation Policy to support expansion of irrigated agriculture.

2026-04-252026-06-13
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. April 2026

  2. Citizen Digital

    Run for Oloolua: PS Kimotho launches ambitious plan to revive threatened forest By Citizen Reporter April 25, 2026 07:06 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter The ‘Run for Oloolua’ initiative, spearheaded by Irri …

    Run for Oloolua: PS Kimotho launches ambitious plan to revive threatened forest
Agriculture & Land

Kenya aims to double irrigated land by 2028

The News

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.

3 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

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