By Eddah Waithaka
Stakeholders gathered today at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) Tsavo Conference Centre for a sensitization forum ahead of the official launch of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) tomorrow, March 21, 2025.
The NISIP, a strategic 10-year blueprint, aims to mobilize government resources, development partners, and private investors to transform Kenya’s irrigation sector, enhance food and fodder production, and drive economic growth.
Ephantus Kimotho, Principal Secretary for Irrigation, emphasized the importance of today’s pre-launch activities, which included presentations on irrigation investment opportunities and panel discussions featuring key stakeholders.
“NISIP is a game-changer for Kenya’s food security and socioeconomic empowerment. Tomorrow’s launch will mark a significant milestone in our journey to accelerate investments in irrigation,” Kimotho stated.
The official launch, themed “Accelerating Investment in Irrigation for Food Security and Socioeconomic Empowerment,” will bring together representatives from NISIP’s partner organizations, underscoring the collaborative effort to revolutionize Kenya’s irrigation sector.
The event will also showcase the ‘National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) brochure’, which outlines Kenya’s 10-year strategic blueprint to mobilize government, development partners, and private investments in irrigation.
NISIP Goals and Targets
NISIP sets ambitious targets to expand Kenya’s equipped irrigation area from 712,000 to 1,712,000 acres through private micro-irrigation, large-scale corporate partnerships, and community schemes.
The plan also aims to improve the productivity and profitability of existing public and community irrigation schemes covering 300,000 acres and increase food and fodder production in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) on 140,000 acres of rangeland.
The National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) outlines five strategic pathways to achieve its targets.
Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) encourages micro-irrigation expansion for smallholder farmers, supported by government-led awareness and technology adoption.
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High-Performing Public Irrigation Schemes focus on better governance, management, and technology to ensure affordable and sustainable water services.
Enabled Corporate Agribusiness promotes commercial irrigation investments through private-led or public-private partnerships.
Revitalized Irrigation in ASALs provides adequate water for food and fodder production in pastoralist communities; and Maximized Community Irrigation Benefits strengthens community irrigation management and enterprise development.
Projected Benefits
NISIP is expected to deliver transformative outcomes, including a 200-300% increase in crop yields, a doubling of farming profits, and economic multipliers of 2.5 to 4. The plan also aims to enhance climate resilience and livelihoods across the country.
The total funding required for NISIP is estimated at KSh 598 billion (USD 4.6 billion), with 39% expected from the government and international donors and 61% from the private sector.
The plan brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government ministries and agencies, county governments, private sector players, financing institutions, civil society organizations, irrigation service providers, and farmers.
Following its approval, NISIP will establish budget lines and institutional coordination mechanisms.
Capacity-building initiatives will enhance irrigation service delivery, while new co-financing agreements will facilitate project implementation.
As Kenya prepares to launch NISIP tomorrow, stakeholders remain optimistic about its potential to transform the irrigation sector, boost food security, and drive socioeconomic empowerment across the nation.
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