PS Kimotho Hosts IWMI for Talks on Strengthening Irrigation through NISIP
By Victor Patience Oyuko
Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho welcomed a high-level delegation from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to Maji House for a transformative engagement centered on strengthening Kenya’s irrigation and water resource management systems. The meeting, held today at Maji House, was marked by candid dialogue, data-driven reflection, and a shared sense of urgency to revamp the country’s irrigation landscape.
PS Kimotho described the meeting as a powerful opportunity to align Kenya’s national irrigation goals with IWMI’s extensive global expertise. He reaffirmed that the State Department remains fully committed to the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), which outlines an ambitious but achievable target: expanding the area under irrigation to 1 million acres over the next decade. This vision, he said, is not only about acreage but about transforming the very architecture of how Kenya manages its precious water resources in the face of growing climate pressures and food security demands.
Confronting the Efficiency Gap
During the discussions, PS Kimotho did not shy away from acknowledging Kenya’s current shortcomings. He pointed out that irrigation water use efficiency in the country remains worryingly low, with only 30% efficiency, meaning a staggering 70% of water is lost in the system. He made it clear that such a reality is unsustainable and incompatible with the national dream of agricultural prosperity.
“I am committed to significantly improving this efficiency,” the Principal Secretary emphasized, in a tone that signaled both resolve and realism. He noted that enhanced efficiency must come through strategic interventions—including not just physical infrastructure but a shift in behavioural practices, policy frameworks, and technological adoption.
Introducing Water Tariffs for Irrigation
One of the most groundbreaking ideas floated during the engagement was the establishment of water tariffs in the irrigation sector. PS Kimotho explained that this would serve as a mechanism to promote responsible water use, counteract wastage, and instil a culture of value among water users, especially large-scale and smallholder irrigators.
The suggestion was met with support from the IWMI delegation. Dr. Idil Ires, who led the team from IWMI, emphasized that tariff structures, when designed with fairness and sustainability in mind, can be a powerful policy tool to shift user behaviour, mobilize investment in irrigation systems, and ensure long-term sustainability of water resources.
PS Kimotho welcomed IWMI’s technical support in water pricing, citing their proven track record in shaping irrigation tariff frameworks across diverse geographies. “We must build a system where every drop counts,” he remarked. It was an assertion that underscored not only the economic value of water but its political and environmental weight in an era defined by climate uncertainty.
The Push for Modern Technology
The meeting also delved deeply into the role of technology in delivering smarter, leaner, and more responsive irrigation systems. PS Kimotho underscored the importance of adopting modern technologies to enhance precision in water use, optimize crop yields, and reduce waste across irrigation schemes.
He noted that Kenya’s farmers are increasingly aware of the need for innovation, and that government institutions must provide the enabling environment—policy, infrastructure, and training—to meet that rising demand. Dr. Ires echoed this point, stating that IWMI’s core activities include scaling smart irrigation using digital tools that help farmers plan water use, predict soil moisture levels, and forecast rainfall patterns more accurately.
Together, both parties agreed that technology cannot be an afterthought; it must be embedded in every layer of planning and execution, from farm-level tools to national policy dashboards. The call was clear: innovation must be our irrigation lifeline.
Expanding Water Storage Infrastructure
Another key topic that emerged during the engagement was the need for expanded water storage infrastructure. Kimotho acknowledged that increasing irrigated land to one million acres will only be feasible if Kenya significantly boosts its capacity to store water across seasons.
He cited the importance of dams, reservoirs, underground tanks, and water pans, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Without adequate storage, he warned, investments in irrigation will only deliver seasonal gains rather than durable food security. IWMI, with its experience in groundwater governance and land restoration, was identified as a key partner in designing systems that are both effective and environmentally sound.
Dr. Ires noted that IWMI is already engaged in several projects that restore degraded land and enhance groundwater recharge, and that these strategies could be customized to suit Kenya’s diverse ecological zones.
Harnessing IWMI's Global Expertise
In his remarks, PS Kimotho expressed admiration for IWMI’s broad research mandate, which spans across soil management, policy innovation, and finance models for irrigation development. He emphasized that Kenya is not starting from scratch, but is instead building on tested models, learning from global best practices, and tailoring solutions to fit the local context.
He praised IWMI’s expertise in blended finance, which combines public, private, and donor resources to develop irrigation infrastructure sustainably. He hinted at the need for Kenya to attract impact investors and green financing, noting that the future of irrigation must be not just about scale, but about resilience and inclusivity.
Dr. Ires, in response, reaffirmed IWMI’s full commitment to supporting Kenya’s irrigation transformation. She stated that their approach is rooted in research for development, aiming to generate knowledge that directly improves people’s lives. Her team, she added, would be keen to work with the State Department in areas ranging from risk assessment tools to capacity building for county governments and water user associations.
The Bigger Picture: Food Security and National Development
Above all, PS Kimotho placed the engagement in the broader context of national development and food security. He reiterated that irrigation is not a side activity—it is a strategic pillar of Kenya’s agricultural future. “We are not just looking to increase acreage,” he said. “We are looking to transform livelihoods, stabilize food prices, and reduce our vulnerability to climate shocks.”
He pointed out that Kenya’s dependency on rain-fed agriculture is becoming increasingly untenable in the face of unpredictable weather patterns. Expanding irrigation and strengthening water management, he noted, is not just about producing more—it’s about producing reliably, sustainably, and profitably.
A Future Built on Partnership
As the engagement concluded, both parties left with a renewed sense of purpose and the outline of what could become a long-term partnership. PS Kimotho stressed that the State Department places high value on collaborations that support the national irrigation agenda. He pledged to ensure that every policy, every partnership, and every project is geared toward empowering the farmer, preserving the environment, and securing Kenya’s food future.
Dr. Ires, speaking on behalf of IWMI, assured the Principal Secretary of their institution’s commitment to this shared mission. With strong leadership from the Kenyan government and technical backing from global partners, the seeds of transformation are being planted today.
What remains is the collective will to nurture those seeds—through innovation, investment, and above all, partnerships grounded in purpose.
Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To buy coffee: 0708883777
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