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Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization

State Department for Irrigation

Government department leading Kenya's irrigation expansion initiatives, securing €20 million in German funding for smallholder development.

2026-05-072026-07-07

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. Citizen Digital

    e country's food production. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); The two-day forum, co-hosted by the State Department for Irrigation

    PS Kimotho says gov't to scale irrigation, boost food security in 10-year investment plan
  3. 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
  4. June 2026
  5. Citizen Digital

    PHOTO | COURTESY Audio By Vocalize The State Department for Irrigation has secured an additional €20 million (approximately Ksh.3 billion) commitment from the German government to support the expansion of smallholder irrigation development across seven counties.

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

    The deal follows recent consultations between the State Department for Irrigation and governors from western Kenya, who expressed willingness to co-invest in irrigation projects.“Annual farmer incomes are projected to increase from Sh12.4 million to Sh45.7 million,” said Kimotho,

    Kenya, Germany strike deal on smallholder irrigation expansion
  7. Citizen Digital

    The launch came ahead of a consultative meeting bringing together officials from the State Department for Irrigation, the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, the National Irrigation Authority, National Government Administration Officers and local leaders to discuss the comme

    Gov’t launches Ksh.55M Hirimani Bridges, issues Green Cards to 720 farmers
  8. The Standard

    r land and invest confidently in agricultural activities," said Kimotho.The bridges, each a double-span 20-metre reinforced concrete girder structure, are set for completion within six months, ahead of the one-year contract period, according to the State Department for Irrigation

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

    The State Department for Irrigation, through the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), has unveiled a roadmap that seeks to increase the area under irrigation from 664,000 acres recorded in the 2021/2022 financial year to 1.29 million acres by the 2027/2028 financia

    Kenya targets doubling irrigated land to boost food security by 2028
  10. Citizen Digital

    The State Department for Irrigation is expected to play a key role in implementing the planned projects as the government seeks to expand irrigation infrastructure and reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture.

    Ruto highlights irrigation expansion as key pillar of food security agenda
  11. May 2026
  12. The Standard

    The State Department for Irrigation commissioned the National Baseline 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 lau

    Govt moves to close Sh56bn rice import gap with irrigation push
  13. The Standard

    The State Department for Irrigation said the 2017 policy fell behind sector reforms and operational changes, leading to duplication of roles and coordination challenges among agencies.

    Irrigation policy review targets food security gaps
Agriculture & Land

Government plans 10-year irrigation expansion for food security

The News

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.

Why it matters

Government's 10-year irrigation expansion plan addresses food security through substantial infrastructure investment across arid regions.

20 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Yesterday

  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.

    20 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  2. 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

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Government launches Ksh.55M bridge, issues Green Cards to 720 farmers

    The government has launched construction of the Ksh.55 million Hirimani Bridges in Bura Irrigation Scheme, Tana River County, and issued Green Cards covering more than 2,000 acres to 720 farming families to improve irrigation infrastructure and secure land ownership.

    16 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

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

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

Thursday 21 May

  1. 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

Thursday 7 May

  1. Kenya and World Bank expand irrigation to improve food security

    Kenya is deepening its partnership with the World Bank to expand water access and improve agricultural productivity under a national development plan centred on irrigation. A meeting between Kenya's Principal Secretary for Irrigation and World Bank officials reviewed the Kenya Sustainable Irrigation for Resilient Economy programme, which includes farmer-led irrigation development, public and community schemes, and water security initiatives.

    7 May 2026 · The Standard

State Department for Irrigation — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute