PS Ephantus Kimotho signs agreement with Konza Technopolis to Digitize Kenya’s Irrigation Sector

 

Kenya’s journey toward smarter and more transparent water management has reached a historic milestone. 

On 13th October 2025, the State Department for Irrigation, led by Principal Secretary CPA Ephantus Kimotho, signed a transformative Cloud Hosting Agreement with the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA).

The agreement marks the official start of a new digital era in irrigation management through the hosting of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) Management Information System (MIS) on the Konza National Cloud Infrastructure. This bold step places Kenya at the forefront of data-driven agricultural transformation and underscores the government’s commitment to using technology to achieve food security and water efficiency.

Harnessing Technology for a Water-Secure Future

The signing of this partnership signifies more than a technical upgrade; it represents a shift in how Kenya will plan, monitor, and evaluate irrigation projects across all 47 counties. The NISIP MIS, once fully operational, will consolidate national irrigation data into a single, secure platform hosted on a government-owned cloud system.

By choosing Konza Technopolis as the hosting partner, the State Department for Irrigation ensures that Kenya’s irrigation data remains within the country’s digital sovereignty framework, protected by high-level cybersecurity standards and managed through a transparent, accountable public infrastructure.

According to PS CPA Ephantus Kimotho, this initiative will not only strengthen the SDI’s capacity to coordinate irrigation activities but also streamline reporting, improve accountability, and enhance decision-making at both national and county levels.

Why the NISIP MIS Matters

The National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) is the blueprint that guides the development, rehabilitation, and management of irrigation systems across Kenya. It aligns with the country’s Vision 2030, Kenya Kwanza agricultural agenda, and the broader food security pillar of national development.

However, for years, the lack of centralized and reliable data has made it difficult to assess real-time progress, allocate resources efficiently, and evaluate outcomes. The NISIP Management Information System aims to close that gap.

Through this new system, the State Department for Irrigation will have real-time access to information such as the number and size of ongoing irrigation projects, Water usage levels and storage capacities, Crop patterns and seasonal trends and, Financial performance and project timelines.

Impact data on farmers’ productivity and household incomes.

This data will empower both policymakers and local implementers to make smarter, faster, and more informed decisions.

Nationwide Baseline Data Collection Underway

With the signing of the agreement, PS Kimotho announced the immediate rollout of a nationwide baseline data collection exercise across all 47 counties. This exercise is the first step toward the full operationalization of the NISIP MIS within the next six months.

Teams from the State Department for Irrigation, the National Irrigation Authority, and other partner institutions will work collaboratively to capture accurate and up-to-date data on irrigation infrastructure, water sources, and agricultural activities.

The exercise will also involve county governments, development partners, and farmers’ associations; ensuring that the resulting system reflects on-the-ground realities and responds to local needs.

Once completed, this data will form the foundation upon which the MIS operates, allowing the government to track progress, assess performance, and plan future investments based on evidence rather than estimation.

Enhancing Efficiency, Transparency, and Accountability

At the core of this digital transformation is the principle of accountability. The NISIP MIS is designed to ensure that every shilling invested in irrigation can be tracked, monitored, and evaluated.

By digitizing operations, the system will help eliminate duplication, reduce manual errors, and curb resource wastage. Stakeholders; from national agencies to county departments ; will have clear visibility into ongoing and completed projects, financial flows, and measurable outcomes.

PS Ephantus Kimotho emphasized that transparency is central to the reform process. With the system hosted on the Konza National Cloud, data will be stored securely while remaining accessible to authorized users through structured dashboards and real-time analytics.

This structure ensures that policymakers, project managers, and even citizens can access accurate information on irrigation development ; fostering trust and accountability throughout the sector.

Driving the Food Security Agenda

The introduction of the NISIP MIS directly supports Kenya’s goal of becoming a food-secure nation. By improving how irrigation resources are managed, monitored, and deployed, the State Department for Irrigation aims to make every drop of water count.

The data-driven approach will enable the Ministry to identify regions that require urgent intervention, allocate water resources efficiently, and predict the most suitable crop varieties for different climatic zones.

For farmers, this means timely access to information, better support from extension officers, and improved yields. For the government, it means achieving greater efficiency, reducing losses, and ensuring that irrigation projects deliver tangible benefits to the people they are meant to serve.

Konza Technopolis: Powering Kenya’s Digital Transformation

The decision to host the NISIP MIS on the Konza National Cloud Infrastructure reinforces the government’s commitment to leveraging local innovation hubs. Konza Technopolis, often referred to as Kenya’s “Silicon Savannah,” is a flagship smart city project designed to host digital systems that support national development goals.

By partnering with Konza, the State Department for Irrigation not only secures access to advanced digital hosting technology but also strengthens the country’s capacity to manage sensitive data locally. This collaboration symbolizes Kenya’s confidence in homegrown solutions and its dedication to ensuring that the benefits of digitization are realized within its borders.

A Vision for Sustainable Irrigation Management

The NISIP MIS is not just a technological tool; it represents a shift in mindset toward evidence-based planning and sustainable management of natural resources. It will enable decision-makers to visualize the entire irrigation landscape at a glance; from small community schemes to large-scale national projects.

Through this holistic view, the State Department can identify emerging trends, respond swiftly to challenges, and ensure that resources are used where they have the highest impact.

For PS Ephantus Kimotho, this digital transformation is part of a larger commitment to sustainability and efficiency. He has consistently championed reforms that align irrigation management with modern technological standards, ensuring that Kenya remains prepared to face future environmental and economic challenges.

Ensuring Every Acre Counts

The signing of the cloud hosting agreement marks a turning point in Kenya’s irrigation history. It signals a future where technology and data will drive every decision; from project initiation to completion.

When fully operational, the NISIP MIS will help measure progress not just in acres irrigated but in lives improved. It will reveal which regions are thriving, which need more support, and where investments can yield the highest returns.

This initiative also complements ongoing national programs such as climate-smart agriculture, catchment conservation, and water resource management, demonstrating that digital innovation can work hand in hand with environmental stewardship.

A Commitment to Progress

As the State Department for Irrigation and Konza Technopolis move forward with implementation, PS Kimotho reaffirmed the government’s dedication to delivering measurable, people-centered outcomes. The focus, he said, remains on ensuring that every drop of water contributes to productivity, and that every acre under irrigation enhances Kenya’s prosperity.

The partnership with Konza Technopolis is therefore more than a contract; it is a shared vision of progress, resilience, and national transformation. It embodies Kenya’s commitment to building systems that are transparent, efficient, and sustainable.

A Digital Leap Toward Food Security

The Cloud Hosting Agreement between the State Department for Irrigation and Konza Technopolis represents a major step forward for Kenya’s irrigation sector. It combines technological innovation, institutional collaboration, and visionary leadership; all aimed at transforming how water and land resources are managed.

Through this partnership, PS CPA Ephantus Kimotho has once again demonstrated the State Department’s resolve to harness technology for national development. As the NISIP MIS takes shape over the next six months, Kenyans can look forward to a future where data informs every action, farmers benefit from real-time insights, and the nation grows closer to achieving lasting food security.

In this digital era, the message is clear: innovation is the new irrigation.

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