World Bank Backs PS Kimotho’s Vision for Sustainable Irrigation in Kwale

Development often reveals its power not only in policies but in the lives it touches. On Wednesday, 10th September 2025, Principal Secretary,  State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho welcomed World Bank Kenya Country Director Mr. Qimiao Fan to Kwale County for a visit that brought Kenya’s irrigation journey into sharp focus.

The mission highlighted progress under the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) programme, celebrated community resilience, and underscored Kenya’s vision for sustainable, market-led agriculture.

This was not just a review of projects; it was a reflection of how irrigation, when people-centred and inclusive, can transform rural economies.

Redefining Smallholder Agriculture through Farmer Led Irrigation Development 

At the heart of PS Kimotho’s engagement with the World Bank team was the FLID initiative. Backed by the National Irrigation Authority, FLID has already delivered more than 207 household water pans in Kwale County, reshaping how families approach farming.

These small but powerful interventions represent a turning point for rural households. Water pans provide reliable access to water, shielding farmers from the unpredictability of rainfall and giving them the confidence to invest in crops, livestock, and agribusiness ventures.

The story of Mama Mwaka, one of the programme’s shining examples, embodies this transformation. Her shift from subsistence farming to market-oriented production is proof that access to water and targeted support can lift entire communities. By placing farmers at the centre of irrigation planning, FLID creates ownership and sustainability that traditional, top-down projects often struggle to achieve.

Results-Based Financing

PS Kimotho’s vision extends far beyond Kwale. Through the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan, Kenya is pursuing a Results-Based Financing facility designed to expand FLID by an additional 250,000 acres nationwide.

This approach signals a profound shift in development financing. Rather than focusing solely on inputs, the strategy rewards results; measurable progress in expanding irrigation coverage, improving farm incomes, and building resilience against climate shocks.

The involvement of the World Bank lends weight to this ambition. It reflects international confidence in Kenya’s strategy and ensures that the resources mobilized are aligned with outcomes that genuinely matter to farmers.

Mwache Multipurpose Dam as a Game-Changer for Kwale and Mombasa

Beyond FLID, the delegation toured the Mwache Multipurpose Dam Project, a flagship development effort in coastal Kenya. Hosted by PS Julius Korir, the dam represents more than infrastructure; it is a lifeline for over one million residents of Kwale and Mombasa Counties.

Once complete, the project will not only secure clean water for households but also bring an additional 2,000 acres under irrigation. In regions where water scarcity has long curtailed opportunities, Mwache Dam promises to redefine livelihoods, spur agribusiness, and create jobs.

The presence of the World Bank at Mwache underlined the importance of global partnerships in delivering large-scale projects. The Bank’s technical expertise and financing capacity remain crucial in ensuring that such transformative undertakings are completed to the highest standards.

Sustaining the Gains

No irrigation scheme can succeed without a healthy environment. During the Mwache visit, PS Gitonga Mugambi of the State Department for Forests showcased watershed restoration efforts in the catchment area.

By protecting the dam’s natural sources, these conservation activities guarantee the longevity of the investment. Reforestation, soil conservation, and water management not only safeguard infrastructure but also create ecological balance, ensuring that communities can rely on these resources for generations.

The inclusion of environmental considerations in irrigation planning reflects a holistic approach to development; one where sustainability is not an afterthought but a central principle.

Partnerships that Drive Transformation

The Kwale mission was more than a technical field visit. It was a collective demonstration of partnerships at work. Alongside PS Kimotho were Irrigation Secretary Eng. Vincent Kabuti, senior government officers, the Deputy Governor of Kwale, the World Bank team, farmers, and other stakeholders.

Each actor represented a crucial piece of the puzzle; government policy, international support, technical expertise, and community resilience. Together, they illustrated that the future of irrigation in Kenya cannot rest on one actor alone. It requires a tapestry of commitments woven together by a shared goal: food security and prosperity for all.

Empowering Communities through Inclusive Irrigation

The true genius of the FLID model lies in its inclusivity. By giving farmers the tools and responsibility to manage their own systems, it moves away from dependency and cultivates self-reliance. Families in Kwale now approach farming with the confidence that water security provides.

This empowerment has ripple effects: children stay in school because parents have stable incomes; communities invest in local enterprises; and women farmers, often the backbone of rural economies, gain recognition as economic drivers.

For PS Kimotho, stories like Mama Mwaka’s are not isolated successes but indicators of a larger national potential. They prove that with the right support, Kenya’s smallholder farmers can compete in markets, strengthen food supply chains, and sustain growth.

Kenya’s Food Security Vision in Context

The timing of this World Bank partnership is crucial. Kenya, like many countries, faces mounting pressures from climate change, population growth, and global food supply disruptions. Irrigation offers one of the most practical solutions to these challenges, providing stability where rainfall can no longer be relied upon.

The government’s strategy, articulated by PS Kimotho, combines large-scale infrastructure projects like Mwache Dam with community-driven initiatives like FLID. This dual approach ensures that food security is not only addressed at the macro level but also embedded in the daily lives of households.

By aligning with international partners such as the World Bank, Kenya positions itself to scale up these initiatives while maintaining accountability and sustainability.

A Diplomatic Balance of Policy and Humanity

What stood out in Kwale was not just the technical progress, but the human stories behind it. PS Kimotho has shown an ability to balance the strategic policy lens with the personal impact lens; reminding his audience that behind every acre of irrigated land is a family’s future.

In diplomacy and development, this balance is essential. Policies gain meaning when they translate into changed lives, and international financing earns legitimacy when it delivers hope on the ground. The Kwale visit embodied this philosophy.

Scaling the Success

The journey ahead is ambitious but achievable. Expanding FLID by 250,000 acres, completing Mwache Dam, restoring watersheds, and embedding inclusivity in irrigation all require consistency and vision.

With the continued partnership of the World Bank, and under the stewardship of PS Kimotho, Kenya’s irrigation landscape is on course to transform dramatically over the next decade. The potential benefits enhanced food security, improved rural incomes, and resilient communities are too great to ignore.

Kwale County offered the perfect stage to showcase this potential. From household water pans to mega-dam infrastructure, Kenya is building a future where irrigation is not a privilege but a right, accessible to every farmer regardless of scale.

Irrigation as a Story of Hope

The 10th September 2025 visit by the World Bank delegation was more than a date on the calendar; it was a milestone in Kenya’s irrigation journey. It demonstrated that when vision, partnerships, and community action align, transformation is not theoretical but tangible.

In Kwale, PS Kimotho illustrated that irrigation is not just about water; it is about dignity, opportunity, and resilience. With the support of the World Bank and the dedication of Kenyan farmers, this story is only beginning to unfold.

As Kenya continues to pursue its bold irrigation agenda, one truth stands out clearly: development succeeds best when it empowers people to write their own futures.

Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To buy coffee: 0708 883 777