KENYA MOJA

  As the new year begins in 2026, I found myself thinking about you. Not just as a Principal Secretary dealing with government systems and paperwork, but as a man deeply focused on water, how it moves, how it is stored, and how it gives life and hope. Most people look at a map of Kenya and see borders and regions. I imagine that when you look at the same map, you see water paths, where it flows freely, where it is blocked, and where the land is still dry and waiting. At the start of this new year, I wanted to write to you directly, to acknowledge the quiet, demanding, and important work you have been carrying over the past few years. The Weight of the Quiet Revolution There is a special kind of pressure that comes with being responsible for a country’s food supply. It is not the loud pressure of politics. It is the quiet, constant knowledge that when a pump fails in Mwea or a canal fills with silt in Turkana , a family somewhere eats a little less. You have carried that responsib...

  The Government has taken a decisive step toward reshaping Kenya’s food production future with the signing of a KES 40 billion contract for the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing of the Galana Athi Dam . The agreement, concluded yesterday, Tuesday, marks one of the most consequential irrigation investments Kenya has made in recent years, not because of its size alone, but because of what it unlocks for food security , jobs, and long-term economic stability. At the centre of this moment is a dam designed to store 305 million cubic metres of water, paired with a modern irrigation water conveyance system that will finally give scale and certainty to the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project . For years, Galana has been discussed as potential. This contract begins the process of turning that potential into predictable, measurable production. A Contract That Signals Serious Intent The signing of the Galana Athi Dam contract reflects sustained leadership within the ir...

The commissioning of the Line Saba and Engashura Dispensary Micro-Irrigation and Community Boreholes Project marks a significant milestone in the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community resilience, expand food security, and improve access to clean water at the grassroots level. Presiding over the event today, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho reaffirmed the State Department for Irrigation ’s commitment to practical, people-centered development interventions that directly improve lives. Located in Kiamaina Ward , Bahati Constituency , the project is set to benefit more than 650 households, the Engashura Dispensary , and surrounding communities by providing reliable and clean water for domestic use, micro-irrigation, and health facility operations. Implemented by the National Irrigation Authority under the State Department for Irrigation, the initiative demonstrates how well-planned water investments can unlock multiple social and economic gains within a si...

On Saturday morning, the usually calm surroundings of Bahati Constituency came alive with energy, purpose, and unity as residents gathered for the 2nd Edition of the Rurii Marathon . The event was not merely about speed or competition; it was about people, wellness, and a shared commitment to mental health awareness . Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho had the honour of flagging off and actively participating in the marathon, underscoring the Government’s growing emphasis on mental wellness as a national development priority. The marathon brought together leaders, athletes, families, youth, and community members in a rare but powerful convergence of sport, advocacy, and service. Alongside the Patron, Mr. Joram Mwangi , and the gracious host, Hon. Mrembo Irene Njoki , PS Kimotho joined runners on the 10-kilometre route, sending a clear message that leadership must be visible, engaged, and human. Mental Health at the Centre of Community Conversation The central theme of th...

Thursday afternoon offered a refreshing and energising moment for the entire State Department for Irrigation as Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho led staff in a comprehensive reflection on the year’s achievements, challenges, and emerging priorities. The atmosphere was warm, collegial, and forward-looking, an ideal environment to take stock of the remarkable strides made in 2025 while charting a clear course for 2026. It was both a celebration and a reaffirmation of the shared commitment that continues to anchor irrigation as a pillar of Kenya’s food security strategy . The session served as a timely reminder of how far the Department has travelled in strengthening irrigation-led development, from policy reforms and institutional restructuring to new acreage brought under irrigation and the expansion of farmer-led initiatives across the country. As teams shared insights and engaged openly, one could sense the collective pride in the progress achieved as well as renewed enthusiasm for th...

The State Department for Irrigation has reached a new and defining milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Presided over by Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho , this agreement marks a pivotal step in strengthening Kenya’s institutional capacity, expanding climate-resilient irrigation systems, and deepening the country’s long-term water security strategy. The MoU, signed today, formalizes a structured partnership with IWMI, one of the world’s foremost research institutions on water management. It sets the stage for coordinated action across policy development, technological innovation, knowledge generation, and investment mobilization. For Kenya, this partnership represents both an acceleration and validation of an agenda that is already transforming the agricultural landscape: the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP 2025–2035), the Presidential Irrigation Expansion Programme ,...

The State Department for Irrigation has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fast-tracking major water and irrigation infrastructure following a detailed technical inspection and familiarisation visit to the proposed Sigor Dam in West Pokot County and the Embobut Dam site in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Conducted on Tuesday, the mission forms part of the wider Presidential Irrigation Expansion Agenda , which prioritises large-scale irrigation development as a central pillar of food security, climate resilience, and rural transformation. The inspection underscored the strategic importance of the two proposed dams, both of which are set to unlock irrigation potential, stabilise agricultural productivity, and support sustainable economic development in regions historically affected by aridity, low rainfall, and recurrent climate shocks. The Sigor Dam will draw its water from the Pas River, while Embobut Dam will rely on the Embobut River, two critical water sources capable of supporting...

Irrigation Principal Secretary CPA Ephantus Kimotho today led a high-level meeting focused on one of Kenya’s most ambitious water and agricultural transformation projects: the High Grand Falls Dam . The session, co-chaired with the Principal Secretary for Energy, Alex Wachira , brought together key technical teams and decision-makers to fast-track the planning, coordination, and delivery mechanisms required to drive the project forward. The tone of the meeting was clear and firm. Kenya cannot continue expanding its food systems on rain-fed agriculture alone. The country needs large, dependable water storage infrastructure capable of unlocking irrigation at a scale that truly alters national food production. PS Kimotho anchored the session with this message, making it clear that the High Grand Falls Dam is not just a construction project. It is a long-term, multi-sectoral investment designed to secure Kenya’s food future. Why High Grand Falls Matters Now More Than Ever The High Gr...

Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho joined an esteemed gathering of public service leaders yesterday in Kisumu County for the End of Year Public Service Reflection Dinner. The event, hosted by Mr. Felix K. Koskei , EGH, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service , brought together Principal Secretaries, CEOs, Chairpersons of State Corporations, Directors General, and guest Cabinet Secretaries. The dinner provided a rare opportunity to take stock of the year’s milestones, celebrate successes, and strategically plan for 2026. For PS Ephantus Kimotho and the State Department for Irrigation, 2025 was a year defined by meaningful progress. Across the irrigation ecosystem, tangible results were recorded, from the launch of new large-scale projects to the expansion of smallholder irrigation schemes. These achievements reflect a deliberate and coordinated approach to transforming Kenya’s agricultural landscape through modern, climate-resilient irrigation systems. Advancing Flag...