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Kenya is rolling out a major irrigation initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening climate resilience, and improving farmer incomes through expanded access to water for farming.
The programme, known as the Kenya Resilient Irrigation for Sustainable Economy (KRISE), is being implemented by the government with support from development partners to accelerate irrigation development and improve the efficiency of existing schemes.
Agriculture stakeholders say the initiative is expected to play a key role in reducing the country’s heavy dependence on rainfall, which has historically made farming vulnerable to drought and unpredictable weather patterns.
The KRISE programme will focus on expanding irrigation infrastructure, improving water management systems, and promoting farmer-led irrigation development across different regions of the country. The initiative will also support modern technologies and investment models designed to increase farm productivity and strengthen agricultural value chains.
Officials from the State Department for Irrigation say the programme is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to modernise the irrigation sector and unlock its potential to drive economic growth in agriculture.
Currently, only a small portion of Kenya’s irrigation potential is utilised despite the country having significant water resources that could support large-scale farming. Expanding irrigation is therefore seen as essential for achieving food security and stabilising farm production throughout the year.
Under the KRISE programme, investments will target improved irrigation schemes, water storage infrastructure, and climate-smart farming systems that allow farmers to maintain production even during dry seasons.
The initiative will also promote farmer-led irrigation development, enabling smallholder farmers to adopt affordable irrigation technologies such as pumps, drip systems, and water storage solutions. This approach is designed to empower farmers to take a leading role in managing irrigation while increasing agricultural productivity at the local level.
In addition to infrastructure development, the programme aims to strengthen governance and management of irrigation schemes to ensure sustainability and efficient use of water resources.
Officials say improved management structures, better planning systems, and stronger partnerships with private investors will help maximise the economic returns from irrigation investments.
The programme is also expected to support agricultural commercialisation by enabling farmers to grow crops throughout the year rather than relying on seasonal rainfall. Continuous production can help farmers supply markets more consistently while improving household incomes.
Experts note that irrigation development is particularly critical in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), where water scarcity and climate variability often limit agricultural production.
By expanding irrigation access in these regions, the KRISE programme could help unlock vast areas of underutilised land for crop production while strengthening rural livelihoods.
The government has set an ambitious target of placing 1.5 million acres under irrigation by 2030, a goal that forms part of the country’s long-term agricultural transformation strategy. Expanding irrigation is expected to increase food production, reduce reliance on food imports, and support economic growth in rural communities.
For farmers, the programme could bring significant benefits, including reliable water access, higher crop yields, and the ability to diversify into higher-value crops.
If successfully implemented, the Kenya Resilient Irrigation for Sustainable Economy programme could become one of the country’s most important agricultural investments, helping to build a more resilient, productive, and commercially viable farming sector.
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