National Irrigation Authority

13/12/2025

Today, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, accompanied by other leaders and senior officials from commissioned the Line-Saba and Engashura Community Boreholes Project in Kiamaina Ward, Bahati Constituency, Nakuru County.

The project, implemented under National Irrigation Authority's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by prioritising access to water as a key enabler of livelihoods, community resilience and inclusive economic growth at the grassroots level.

The two community boreholes, located at Line-Saba Women Group land and Engashura Health Centre are designed to improve access to clean and reliable water for domestic use and small-scale irrigation activities, thereby empowering households and supporting local development .

The initiative is expected to directly benefit 650 households and indirectly benefit over 1,300 households, contributing to improved livelihoods, enhanced socio-economic status, job creation and strengthened resilience against the effects of climate change.

12/12/2025

09/12/2025

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS joined by other NIA senior officers hosted a team of investors from India at the Head Office, Irrigation House.

The teams discussed potential areas of partnership in developing irrigation infrastructure and other support infrastructure across the Country.

It was agreed to share key reference materials for review by the investors after which they will submit a formal proposal in line with the PPP Act.

The Authority is keen to aggressively engage investors so as to achieve the targets set out in the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

04/12/2025

Today, the CEO led the management in hosting investors from Romania working in partnership with office of the First lady under the MaMa Doing Good Organization.

The investors who included Florin Pirlea and Laurentiu Spermezan from East Work Connect, Romania were led by Stephen Kithisya, the Head of Strategic Partnerships in MaMa Doing Good Organization.

During the meeting, the team discussed potential areas of partnership in Irrigation under the PPP model. Some of the areas agreed to be considered for partership includes: construction of Dams, support in irrigation infrastructure development in irrigation schemes and community based irrigation projects, supporting farmers enhance utilization of the household water pans through lining and supply of solar kits, capacity building of technical officers and farmers, support in propagating and growing fruit tree seedlings among others.

Both sides agreed to share key documents for review after which a meeting will be held to discuss and agree on the way forward.

The Authority is committed to partnering with all stakeholders and private investors to scale up irrigation expansion and deliver on the targets set out in the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda and the Authority's Strategic Plan 2023 - 2027.

28/11/2025

West Kano Irrigation Scheme, Kisumu County

28/11/2025

Ahero Irrigation Scheme, Kisumu County

28/11/2025

Lower Nzoia Irrigation Scheme, Busia and Siaya County

28/11/2025

Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme, Migori County

27/11/2025

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) senior leaders led by the Chairman, Board of Directors Eng. Gilbert Maluki and CEO Eng. Charles Muasya visited Ahero and West Kano Irrigation Schemes in Kisumu County.

During the visit, the team inspected the newly installed outlet pump in West Kano and engaged with farmers undertaking cropping in the newly recovered area.

They later joined Kisumu County Governor H.E. Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o for the official commissioning of the newly installed Rice Mill by the County at the Ahero Irrigation Scheme.

Addressing farmers during the commissioning, the Governor emphasized on the need for close collaboration between Kisumu County Government, the National Irrigation Authority, and the private investor, Uplands Crops Ltd, to ensure local farmers reap maximum benefits from the milling facility.

NIA Board Chairman Eng. Gilbert Maluki encouraged farmers to organize themselves into strong cooperatives in order to fully access support from the National Government, County Government and other development partners.

The CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya reaffirmed the Authority’s unwavering commitment to addressing farmers’ concerns and ensuring all irrigation schemes remain productive and fully functional throughout the year.

The National Irrigation Authority continues to work hand-in-hand with stakeholders and private sector to expand irrigated agriculture and boost food production, in line with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

25/11/2025

Later in the day, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS hosted the PS and his team at Kanyuambora Irrigation Project in Mbeere North. The visit focused on the progress of the project which aims to irrigate 625 acres and benefit 1,250 farmers using water from the Thuci River.

With works currently at 40% completion, the project funded by the Government of Kenya is set to boost food security, create over 3,000 direct and 6,000 indirect jobs, and contribute significantly to the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

25/11/2025

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS and other senior NIA officers hosted the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, accompanied by other leaders and senior government officials during an inspection of the ongoing construction works at the Kamata Irrigation Project in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County.

The team also visited several household projects and engaged directly with farmers on the benefits the project brings to them and the challenges they face.

The visit reviewed the project’s progress, currently at 40% completion, with major components such as intake structures, a sedimentation basin, HDPE conveyance pipelines, sub-mainlines, lateral lines and valve chambers advancing steadily.

The Kamata Irrigation Project aims to bring 420 acres under irrigation, directly impacting 420 farmers and over 2,100 households indirectly, thereby enhancing food production, boosting farm incomes, and improving livelihoods across the community.

Financial assessments show that the project is socially and economically viable, with an expected annual gross income of Ksh 105 million and a payback period of just two years.

Farmers are set to venture into high-value agricultural enterprises including tomatoes, vegetables, avocados, macadamia and passion among others.

As a key initiative supporting Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Kamata Irrigation Project is poised to strengthen food security, stimulate local economic growth and elevate the socio-economic wellbeing of the region.

The Authority remains committed to ensuring timely delivery and continuous farmer capacity building for long-term sustainability.

21/11/2025

The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Mugaa, undertook a comprehensive working visit to the Mwea Irrigation Development Project (MIDP) and the Mwea Irrigation Scheme to assess ongoing works and overall project performance.

The Cabinet Secretary was received by the Kirinyaga County Deputy Governor, Hon. David Githanda Wachira, the Member of Parliament for Mwea Constituency, Hon. Mary Maingi, the Chairman of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Board Eng. Gilbert Maluki, the CEO of NIA, Eng. Charles Muasya among other senior government officials.

The tour commenced at the Mwea Irrigation Development Project (MIDP), where the CS received a detailed briefing on the progress of civil works under the ongoing expansion canals. The project supports the stabilization and improvement of irrigation water for the scheme and includes major infrastructure such as the Diversion Works, Link Canal III, Mutithi Branch Canal III and other associated infrastructure.

The project forms part of the larger development goal of enhancing irrigation efficiency across Mwea, which is supported by the scheme’s network of main canals, branch canals, and feeder lines mapped across the MIDP packages.

The CS later visited the Mwea Irrigation Scheme to inspect the ongoing production activities. Mwea is the oldest public irrigation scheme in Kenya having been established in 1954 and covers a gazetted area of 30,356 acres, with 21,371 acres irrigated in the main scheme and an additional 11,271 acres under expansion. The Scheme supports 15,905 farmers, relying on water from Rivers Thiba and Nyamindi, conveyed mainly through partially lined open canals and irrigated using the basin irrigation system.

The Scheme is predominantly rice-producing, with rice accounting for 96% of all crops grown, alongside horticultural crops such as tomatoes and French beans.

At Karaba Section, the CS received an update on ongoing rice production, followed by an inspection of the lined K3 Feeder Canal. He later joined farmers in the Wamumu Section in rice harvesting.

The Scheme remains one of Kenya’s largest rice producers, contributing an annual milled rice output of up to 160,000 MT, supporting over 100 local millers, and generating a total economic value of Ksh 25 billion annually, with farmers earning approximately Ksh 12.7 billion.

The visit concluded at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme Guest House, where the CS held a consultative meeting with farmer leaders to review progress, identify existing challenges including aged infrastructure and the spread of the Golden Apple Snail and evaluate emerging needs aimed at improving productivity and irrigation management across the Scheme.