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Tuesday, 7 July 2026
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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
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026

  2. 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

  3. The Standard

    … Officials from the State Department for Irrigation and the World Bank also attended the meeting. …

    Kenya, World Bank deepen irrigation push to boost food security
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 commitment to expand irrigation by one million acres over ten years directly addresses Kenya's food security and climate resilience challenges.

21 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.

    21 hours ago · 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.

    21 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  3. 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