Unlocking Drought Resilience: World-Class Irrigation for Northern Kenya under DRPNK

 By Victor Patience Oyuko 

Northern Kenya, a region frequently scarred by droughts and food insecurity, is finally on the cusp of long-term transformation through the Drought Resilience Programme for Northern Kenya (DRPNK). 

This ambitious initiative, which was officially launched in November 2024, is a flagship investment in climate resilience and agricultural development. At its core, the programme seeks to cushion farmers in Marsabit and Turkana counties—two of the most climate-vulnerable areas in the country—against the devastating impacts of prolonged dry spells.

DRPNK is intricately aligned with the revitalized arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) pathway of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP). Through this alignment, the programme positions itself as a critical instrument in not only expanding irrigation access in the ASALs but also ensuring that smallholder farmers are equipped to adapt to a rapidly changing climate. The revitalized ASALs pathway is one of five under NISIP and is focused specifically on unlocking the untapped agricultural potential of Kenya’s drylands through targeted investment, technology, and sustainability-focused planning.

Notably, the leadership of PS Ephantus Kimotho has played a key role in guiding the strategic direction of DRPNK, ensuring its coherence with national irrigation priorities and community needs.

A Push for Efficient Fund Absorption

In implementing the Drought Resilience Programme, one of the central challenges has been the slow and sometimes inconsistent flow of funds to the counties involved. Like many multi-layered development initiatives, DRPNK has faced delays and bureaucratic hurdles that have hindered the timely absorption of financing—undermining the impact of this transformative programme on the ground.

To overcome this, the government has moved decisively to streamline the financial architecture of the project. A key intervention is the use of the County Government Additional Act (CGAA) 2025, which has now been approved as a mechanism for replenishment of project funds. With counties taking the lead in this replenishment process, the absorption rate of DRPNK funds is expected to rise significantly. This move not only unlocks existing bottlenecks but also ensures that every shilling earmarked for irrigation and drought resilience directly reaches its intended beneficiaries.

This reform comes at a critical time. The drylands of northern Kenya are experiencing increasingly frequent climate shocks. With the new financial clarity and momentum under CGAA 2025, counties are better equipped to execute high-impact activities such as irrigation infrastructure development, capacity building for local farmers, and deployment of water-smart technologies. The result will be faster implementation, improved project outcomes, and enhanced accountability.

This renewed momentum has been made possible through a coordinated push by the State Department of Irrigation, under the able stewardship of PS Ephantus Kimotho, who continues to champion operational excellence in project delivery.

German Support through KfW: A Crucial Partnership

The DRPNK is largely funded by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW, a reputable development bank that has worked extensively in Africa to foster resilience and sustainable development. The German government’s investment in this project reflects a deep commitment to supporting Kenya’s climate change adaptation goals, particularly in fragile regions like Marsabit and Turkana.

However, like many donor-driven projects, DRPNK has not been immune to delays caused by red tape and cross-government complexities. From procurement hurdles to inter-institutional coordination gaps, these systemic challenges have at times stifled momentum. Yet, with renewed focus on financial flow mechanisms and performance-based delivery models, these barriers are gradually being dismantled.

KfW’s involvement also brings technical precision and monitoring standards that raise the bar for how irrigation projects are delivered in Kenya. The German-backed approach to development emphasizes long-term sustainability, gender inclusivity, and strong environmental safeguards—values that are now being embedded into the very DNA of DRPNK implementation.

Revitalizing ASAL Irrigation: A Cornerstone of NISIP

The revitalized ASALs pathway within NISIP is not simply a policy preference—it is a national imperative. Kenya’s ASALs constitute over 80 percent of the landmass and are home to millions who rely on livestock and rain-fed agriculture for survival. Historically underserved and underinvested, these regions have remained trapped in cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

Through DRPNK, the government is signalling a departure from this legacy. Irrigation is being redefined not just as a technical solution, but as a platform for socio-economic empowerment. In Marsabit and Turkana, farmers are now beginning to access climate-smart irrigation models that allow for off-season planting, better crop yields, and efficient use of water resources. With reliable water supply, families can diversify their food sources, improve household nutrition, and even generate surplus for market sales.

Such a paradigm shift has been greatly encouraged by the progressive vision of PS Ephantus Kimotho, whose emphasis on climate-resilient irrigation has resonated deeply across both national and county levels.

This form of development is consistent with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritizes lifting the most marginalized communities through inclusive and sustainable initiatives. By placing ASALs at the centre of national irrigation planning, NISIP and DRPNK are making real the promise of equitable development—where no region is left behind, and every Kenyan can contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Building Local Capacity and Community Ownership

Beyond infrastructure, DRPNK is investing in human capital. One of the programme’s defining features is its support for community-based irrigation management structures. These structures are designed to enhance local ownership and ensure that systems are maintained long after the contractors leave. They empower local farmers, water user associations, and county technical staff with the knowledge and tools needed to run irrigation schemes efficiently.

By embedding training and institutional strengthening into the programme, DRPNK moves away from the unsustainable model of centralised control. It understands that real resilience is built from the ground up—when communities have both the responsibility and the capacity to manage their own development resources. In this way, the programme reflects a maturing development ethos in Kenya—one that treats citizens not as passive recipients of aid, but as active agents of transformation.

Toward a Food-Secure, Drought-Ready Kenya

With climate change now a permanent fixture of the development landscape, DRPNK is more than just a project—it is a national shield against hunger and instability. By unlocking irrigation potential in Marsabit and Turkana, it is turning deserts into breadbaskets and crises into opportunities. By streamlining fund flows through CGAA 2025, it is proving that efficient governance and development outcomes can go hand in hand. And by aligning with both NISIP and the broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, it is showing that targeted investments can truly uplift the grassroots.

As more funds are absorbed, more farmers trained, and more land irrigated, DRPNK is likely to become a reference point for drought resilience programming not just in Kenya, but across the region. It is a testament to what is possible when strategic planning, county engagement, and international partnership are all driven by a shared commitment to inclusive growth.

PS Ephantus Kimotho’s subtle yet impactful leadership continues to underscore these achievements, ensuring that the promise of food security and climate resilience is translated into tangible benefits for Kenyans living in arid regions.

And in the dry plains of northern Kenya, where the ground once cracked under the weight of failed rains, a new story is taking root—one irrigated not just with water, but with hope.

Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To buy coffee: 0708883777