How PS Kimotho Is Collaborating with Water 4 Mercy to Transform Kenya’s Irrigation Sector

By Victor Oyuko 

In the ever-evolving journey of Kenya’s agricultural transformation, one quiet but profound moment took place behind the doors of the State Department for Irrigation. Tuesday was a regular weekday, but for Principal Secretary CPA Ephantus Kimotho, it was another opportunity to lay another brick in the wall of national progress. On this day, he welcomed Ms. Nermine Khouzam Rubin, a visionary founder and CEO of the Water 4 Mercy Foundation. The meeting may not have made headlines at first glance, but within those conversations lay the blueprint of a future where every smallholder farmer in Kenya could dream bigger, produce better, and live with dignity.

A Meeting of Vision and Purpose

The courtesy call was more than a formality. It was a convergence of two people driven by a deep sense of purpose. On one side sat PS Kimotho, an experienced public servant with a firm grasp of Kenya’s developmental roadmap. On the other sat Ms. Rubin, an international changemaker whose foundation has been at the forefront of tackling global water scarcity and agricultural challenges using solar-powered technologies and sustainable innovations.

For PS Kimotho, this meeting was another step forward in a consistent push to align the State Department for Irrigation with development actors who share Kenya’s dream of achieving food security and climate-resilient agriculture. For Ms. Rubin, it was an opportunity to plug her global expertise into a system ready for transformation.

Advancing the National Irrigation Agenda

PS Kimotho reaffirmed his department’s firm commitment to advancing the national irrigation agenda. He explained that the State Department for Irrigation is not simply focused on building canals and installing pipes. The bigger mission is about empowering farmers, especially smallholders, by giving them what they need to thrive in the modern agricultural world.

That mission includes access to professional agronomists who can guide them with science-backed advice. It includes making smart farming tools available to help them conserve water and increase yields. It means providing high-quality hybrid seeds that can withstand the changing climate and produce more from less. And above all, it involves the consistent and timely transfer of knowledge, because no farmer should be left behind due to a lack of information.

Exploring a New Frontier in Embu County

At the heart of the conversation was a potential partnership between Water 4 Mercy and another development partner, CultivAid. Together, they proposed a bold but focused pilot initiative to be rolled out in Embu County. The initiative would begin with five irrigation schemes and would bring with it a combination of cutting-edge drip irrigation systems, improved access to clean planting material, and hands-on training for local farmers.

The plan is to establish centres within each irrigation scheme that will operate as agricultural agent hubs. These hubs will not only offer guidance and support but also serve as seedling distribution points. By housing these services close to the farmers, the initiative aims to solve the challenge of long distances to key inputs, while also building a strong sense of ownership and self-reliance within the communities.

Tackling Long-Standing Agricultural Challenges

During the engagement, PS Kimotho was honest about the challenges Kenya’s irrigation farmers face. From water scarcity caused by erratic rainfall patterns to the lack of clean and disease-free seedlings, the obstacles are many. Many farmers still operate without proper soil testing, which makes it hard to know what crops will do well on their land. Others find themselves producing good harvests but unable to reach markets or attract fair prices.

This is why the planned partnership is comprehensive. It doesn’t stop at supplying equipment or knowledge. It aims to address the full ecosystem of smallholder agriculture. For instance, the project will introduce water-saving technologies like drip irrigation that ensure every drop counts. It will offer services such as soil testing to help farmers make informed decisions. And crucially, it has already identified a produce off-taker, meaning that once the farmers harvest their crops, there is a ready buyer to aggregate and market their produce.

This end-to-end approach is critical. It reflects the kind of thinking that PS Kimotho has been advocating for since he took over the reins of the State Department for Irrigation. For him, success in agriculture is not about short-term yields. It’s about building systems that keep working long after the initial investments are made.

Building a Scalable Model

What makes the Embu pilot particularly exciting is that it is not just a one-off project. The intention is to build a working model a proof of concept that can be studied, refined, and scaled across the rest of the country. PS Kimotho envisions a Kenya where every irrigation scheme, no matter how remote, is connected to the knowledge, tools, and markets it needs to thrive.

He knows that real transformation comes from partnerships. No single government department, no matter how well-intentioned, can carry the burden alone. That’s why he has consistently opened the department’s doors to stakeholders from every corner of the world people who bring new ideas, tested models, and a passion for social impact.

The partnership with Water 4 Mercy and CultivAid is not just a technical collaboration. It is a symbol of what is possible when vision aligns with action. And when that alignment is backed by resources, experience, and community participation, then real change can happen.

Restoring Dignity Through Innovation

What stood out in Ms. Rubin’s work, and what deeply resonated with PS Kimotho, is the emphasis on restoring human dignity. In too many parts of the world, including rural Kenya, people are robbed of their dignity by the daily struggle to access clean water, to feed their children, and to escape the cycle of poverty. Innovations in water and agriculture, when applied correctly, can reverse that trend.

With solar-powered systems, farmers don’t have to wait for electricity or rains. With clean seedlings and soil data, they don’t have to guess what will work. And with knowledge hubs in their own villages, they don’t have to rely on trial and error. That is how dignity is restored—not just through handouts, but through empowerment.

The Bigger Picture for Kenya

This meeting, though simple in form, fits into a larger national story. Kenya is positioning itself as a regional leader in smart agriculture and sustainable development. Under PS Kimotho’s stewardship, the irrigation sector has moved from routine maintenance to bold innovation. It is no longer enough to maintain existing schemes. The focus now is to modernise, expand, and transform these schemes into engines of prosperity.

Through partnerships like the one with Water 4 Mercy and CultivAid, the State Department for Irrigation is not just solving problems, it is building a future. A future where Kenyan farmers don’t just survive, but thrive. A future where Embu becomes the launchpad for agricultural excellence that spreads across counties and reaches every corner of the nation.

A Leadership Committed to Transformation

Since his appointment in 2023, CPA Ephantus Kimotho has proven that leadership is not about titles or ceremonies. It is about vision, action, and an unshakable belief in the power of partnerships. His ability to bring stakeholders together, to listen deeply, and to chart a clear path forward has been at the centre of the gains made in the irrigation sector.

As the country continues to navigate climate challenges, global food insecurity, and increasing pressure on water resources, the work of leaders like PS Kimotho becomes even more vital. He is not just managing a department, he is nurturing a movement.

And if the seeds planted during this latest meeting bear fruit, then farmers in Embu and beyond will one day look back at this moment as the day a new chapter began. Not with fanfare, but with quiet resolve, shared purpose, and a commitment to changing lives one irrigation scheme at a time.