The Kenyan government has launched the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), a bold initiative aimed at revolutionising irrigation and boosting agricultural productivity.
NISIP is a comprehensive 10-year strategy developed by the Kenyan government to expand and modernise irrigation systems across the country, aiming to boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and attract private investment into the irrigation sector.
The Investment Plan, which was officially launched on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, is set to transform Kenya’s agricultural landscape by making irrigation more accessible, sustainable, and commercially viable, where it could be the game-changer in ensuring food security, economic growth, and climate resilience for millions of Kenyans.
Speaking at the launch event, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Engineer Eric Mugaa, emphasised the government’s commitment to transforming agriculture as part of President Dr. William Samoei Ruto’s economic agenda.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, contributing nearly 50% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and playing a crucial role in food security and export earnings,” Mugaa said, noting that the country’s reliance on erratic and unreliable rainfall makes irrigation a vital intervention.
“Currently, Kenya has only 747,000 acres under irrigation, representing just 21.3% of the country’s potential and 5% of total arable land. The NISIP seeks to accelerate irrigation expansion by integrating multiple funding sources and coordinating sector players,” Mugaa said.
According to the CS, the NISIP provides a five-pronged approach to achieving accelerated irrigation development through Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID), Public Scheme Improvement, Commercially Oriented Irrigation, Revitalisation of Irrigation Assets, and Maximising Community Scheme Benefits.
The CS said that through these initiatives, the government aims to bring an additional 1 million acres under irrigation within the next 10 years at an estimated cost of Sh598 billion.
“Of this, 61% will be funded by the private sector, with the government contributing 39%,” the CS said.
On full implementation, Mugaa said that the plan was expected to generate an annual revenue of Sh240 billion, support 700,000 heads of cattle, create over 5 million jobs, and reduce the country’s import deficit.
Mugaa acknowledged the World Bank and other development partners for their support and highlighted the government’s efforts in creating a favourable policy and regulatory environment to attract private investors.
“This investment plan provides the fastest and most cost-effective pathway for Kenya to achieve agricultural water development and food security goals,” Mugaa said, adding that it aligned with the Kenya Vision 2030, the National Irrigation Policy (2017), and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
As he officially launched NISIP, Mugaa called on all stakeholders, government agencies, county governments, private sector players, and farmers to collaborate in ensuring the plan’s success.
“The future of agriculture in Kenya depends on our ability to harness water resources efficiently. This plan is our blueprint for an irrigated, food-secure, and prosperous nation,” he said.
In his remarks, Principal Secretary (PS) for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, said that Kenya can achieve this goal despite concerns about water availability.
Citing the National Water Master Plan 2030, he affirmed that 3.4 million acres could be irrigated using surface water, groundwater, and water harvesting.
However, he noted that the country faces an economic water shortage rather than a physical one, necessitating investment-driven solutions.
“The plan aims to increase irrigation coverage from 22% to 50%, with a phased approach focusing on existing infrastructure in the first two years.
Currently, 747,000 acres are under irrigation, with 83,000 acres developed in the last two years alone. To meet the new target, annual irrigation expansion must accelerate from 40,000 to 100,000 acres,” the PS highlighted.
With climate change posing major challenges, the government sees irrigation as the key to building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
By Emmanuel Mbuthia
