The State Department for Irrigation has commenced a review of the National Irrigation Policy, aimed at strengthening irrigated agriculture and improving food security in line with the Government’s development agenda.
The review is anchored on the vision of President William Ruto to expand irrigated agriculture by two million acres and enhance national food security.
The policy under review was developed in 2017 and has been in implementation for the past nine years.
According to the State Department, the irrigation sector has undergone significant transformation over the period, exposing policy, legal, institutional and operational gaps that have limited the effectiveness of the existing framework in addressing emerging sector needs and the wider agricultural economy.
The department says the ongoing review is intended to address these challenges by improving efficiency in irrigation development and management, closing policy and institutional gaps, eliminating duplication of roles among sector players, and strengthening governance and coordination within the sector.
It is also expected to support the country’s broader food security and economic development goals.
The revised policy is expected to provide a modern framework for sustainable irrigation development, with emphasis on improved water management, enhanced climate resilience, adoption of innovative irrigation technologies, and increased investment in irrigation infrastructure across the country.
It will also align irrigation development with changing environmental conditions and rising demand for agricultural productivity under irrigated farming systems.
Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho received a presentation on the progress of the ongoing policy review.
The briefing outlined key milestones achieved so far, stakeholder engagement processes undertaken, and proposed reforms intended to reposition the irrigation sector as a driver of socio-economic transformation.
The State Department said the review will also ensure alignment with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly in advancing food security, boosting agricultural productivity, creating employment opportunities and improving livelihoods through expanded irrigated agriculture.
The technical team leading the review process is headed by Director of Licensing Nguma Kani.
