National Irrigation Authority

National Irrigation Authority Vision: 'Irrigation for a Food Secure and Prosperous Nation'

Click on link to access NIA'S service charter
https://www.irrigation.go.ke/head-office/

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Perkerra Irrigation Scheme conducted election for Irrigation Water Users’ Association (IWUA) Leaders today. A total of 1...
28/08/2026

Perkerra Irrigation Scheme conducted election for Irrigation Water Users’ Association (IWUA) Leaders today.

A total of 17 Block Leader positions were available across the scheme. Elections were conducted through secret ballot for 14 positions, while the other three (3) positions had candidates who were unopposed.

For the Feeder Leaders, a total of 54 positions were due for elections. The R5C/RFD feeder line conducted its elections successfully, while the other 53 Feeder Leader positions had candidates who were unopposed.

The five (5) members of the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) and the IWUA Chairperson were also unopposed, and therefore no elections were conducted for these positions.

The elections were conducted in an open, transparent and participatory manner, giving farmers an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives. The process reinforces democratic participation and establishes leadership that will support accountable and sustainable irrigation water management within Perkerra Irrigation Scheme.

At the World Water Week 2026 side event in Stockholm, Sweden, the keynote address highlighted the role of the Water Avai...
23/08/2026

At the World Water Week 2026 side event in Stockholm, Sweden, the keynote address highlighted the role of the Water Availability and Demand (WAD) Tool in advancing data-driven irrigation and water resources management.

On behalf of the Cabinet Secretary, the Irrigation Secretary Mr. Joel Tanui, highlighted Kenya’s significant potential for irrigation development and emphasized the need to capitalize on reliable data, technology and digital tools to strengthen planning, investment and water resources management. He underscored Kenya’s agenda of expanding irrigation and water storage, noting that reliable data is critical for guiding investment decisions, supporting evidence-based irrigation designs, improving water management and enhancing climate resilience.

The Irrigation Secretary highlighted the WAD Tool as an important digital innovation that provides a critical link between water data, policy, planning and investment. The tool enables decision-makers to better understand water availability and demand and translate this information into practical interventions for sustainable irrigation development.

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA), represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya and Ag. Director Irrigation Management Services Eng. Jairus Serede participated as a panelists alongside the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI).

During the panel discussion, the NIA Chief Executive Officer applauded IWMI and FAO for their collaborative efforts in the co-development of the WAD Tool and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, knowledge sharing and additional capacity building to strengthen its application and institutional uptake.

The session concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to invest in the continued development, refinement and application of the WAD Tool to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable water management.

As Kenya expands its irrigation and water storage capacity, the commitment remains clear, to transform water data into actionable knowledge, translate knowledge into sound policy and convert policy into strategic investments that improve livelihoods, strengthen food security, enhance climate resilience and deliver sustainable water systems.

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) hosted the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. E...
21/08/2026

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) hosted the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Mugaa, during a public participation exercise for the proposed Murimi Irrigation Project at Njoune Market in Igembe East Ward, Igembe Central Sub-County, Meru County.

The Cabinet Secretary was welcomed by the Member of Parliament for Igembe Central, Hon. Dan Kiili Karitho, the NIA Board Chairman, Eng. Gilbert Maluki and other senior NIA officials, alongside local leaders and community members.

The project is designed to support over 372 farmers covering 93 acres and abstracting water from Kalimariu springs through a 8km distribution network. The project will be supported with three boreholes and 3no. masonry storage tanks of 225 m³ capacity each and six water kiosks to supplement domestic water supply in the area.

Once complete, the project will support production of bananas, watermelons, onions, tomatoes, kales, cabbages among other crops.

The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding irrigation infrastructure under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda to enhance food security and improve livelihoods.

The National Irrigation Authority remains committed to utilizing every drop of water for food production in partnership with farmers and stakeholders so as to make Kenya food-secure.

National Irrigation Authority has restored about 1,200 acres of submerged farmland in West Kano back to rice production....
20/08/2026

National Irrigation Authority has restored about 1,200 acres of submerged farmland in West Kano back to rice production. Rising Lake Victoria water levels and frequent flash floods had left the fields underwater since 2020, costing local farmers KES 162 million gross seasonal income.

Through strategic infrastructure interventions, the Authority installed a high-capacity outlet pump discharging 1 m3/s alongside a comprehensive rehabilitation of the schemes' drainage network, effectively reclaiming the land for the farmers.

This milestone demonstrates the National Irrigation Authority’s dedication to optimize land utilization, restoring rural livelihoods and boosting Kenya's food security and stimulate economic growth in Kenya as espoused in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) held a General Staff Meeting for staff at the Authority’s headquarters in...
18/08/2026

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) held a General Staff Meeting for staff at the Authority’s headquarters in Irrigation House.

The meeting was in line with the Government’s continued emphasis on improving performance, efficiency, productivity and accountability across the Public Service.

Management convened the meeting to deliberate on practical measures required to raise and sustain high standards of performance across the organisation. Particular emphasis was placed on cultivating and inculcating the right attitude, work ethics, professionalism, integrity and unwavering commitment to duty among all staff.

In his address, the Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, thanked staff for their continued efforts in upholding the Authority’s core values of Team work, Innovation, Professionalism, Teamwork, Equity and Sustainable Development.

He urged them to remain steadfast in embodying these values in their daily work, to enhance productivity, to adopt a result-oriented approach, and to consistently deliver quality service while strengthening institutional capacity in fulfilment of the Authority’s mandate.

The discussions focused on ensuring that every officer contributes effectively towards developing, coordinating and managing sustainable irrigation services. These efforts are aligned with Kenya Vision 2030, the Irrigation Act 2019, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the Authority’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027, all of which prioritise food security, socio-economic development and excellence in public service.

The Authority remains steadfast in fostering a performance-driven culture that supports the realisation of national development goals.

Today, a team from the National Irrigation Authority, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, part...
17/08/2026

Today, a team from the National Irrigation Authority, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, participated in the institution’s 2026/2027 Financial Year Performance Contract negotiations at the Ministry Head Quarters in Maji House. The negotiations were chaired by the Irrigation Secretary Eng. Vincent Kabuti, OGW on behalf of the PS State Department for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS. Also present from SDI was Secretary Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience and Irrigation Water Management Mr. Joel Tanui, Director Planning Mr. Peter Kinuthia among other officers.

The exercise is an important accountability and performance management process aimed at guiding the Authority towards the effective delivery of its mandate and achievement of its strategic objectives.

The Performance Contract outlines key areas of institutional performance, including:

i. Financial stewardship and prudent utilization of resources.
ii. Adherence to commitments on service delivery standards.
iii. Delivery of the Authority’s core mandate of steering the country towards food security and prosperity through the development, coordination and management of sustainable irrigation services for socio-economic development.
iv. Implementation of Presidential directives
v. Good governance and institutional accountability.

The National Irrigation Authority remains committed to steering the country towards food security and sustainable socio-economic development, in line with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

10/08/2026

Supporting farmers through irrigation, Kimuri Earth Dam

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) today hosted a team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to disc...
10/08/2026

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) today hosted a team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to discuss the Project for Developing Sustainable Rice Production Systems through Advanced Breeding Materials and Low-Input Cultivation Technologies.

The team was received by Ag. Director, Irrigation Development Services Eng. Loise Kahiga on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer. She was accompanied other senior NIA officials, while the JICA delegation was led by Mr. Yamazaki Jun, Senior Director of the Economic Development Department.

The collaborative research initiative seeks to establish advanced direct-seeding technology utilizing iron-coated seeds so as to enhance rice productivity by reducing bird damage and overcoming unstable seedling establishment that is highly affected by weather conditions, thereby building greater climate resilience within irrigated rice production systems.

Today’s visit by the JICA team underscores NIA’s commitment to promoting research, innovation and sustainable irrigation practices, with the project scheduled for implementation in the Mwea, Ahero, Bunyala and Bura Irrigation Schemes as the Authority continues to foster evidence-based research partnerships that advance low-input cultivation technologies, improve production efficiency and develop resilient rice systems able to withstand climate-related challenges.

NIA looks forward to sustained collaboration with JICA and its partner institutions in generating practical research outcomes that will benefit the irrigation sector and contribute to national food security.

On the second day and official opening of the Kaimosi Agricultural Expo 2026, the Authority's Chairman of the Board of D...
07/08/2026

On the second day and official opening of the Kaimosi Agricultural Expo 2026, the Authority's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Eng. Gilbert Maluki, accompanied by Board members Mr. Gilbert Wangalwa, Eng. Laban Kiplagat, Mr. Victor Momanyi and Mr. Simon Ngugi, together with the Authority's CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS hosted the Guest of Honour, H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, EGH, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, at the Authority's 1.3-acre demonstration farm.

The Guest of Honour was accompanied by Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei, EGH; the Governor of Nandi County, H.E. Hon. Stephen Sang, EGH; the Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre Director Dr. Levy Kachilei and other National and County Government officials. The delegation toured the demonstration farm established at the Centre, where they were taken through the irrigation activities being showcased.

The Authority continued to demonstrate irrigation technologies that promote efficient water use, including sprinkler, drip and basin irrigation systems, as well as water harvesting and storage technologies. The model farm is also demonstrating modern farming practices through the cultivation of hybrid, high-yielding and high-value crop varieties aimed at increasing productivity, improving household livelihoods and enhancing soil fertility management.

Farmers, students and other visitors had the opportunity to engage with the Authority's technical officers, who provided guidance on efficient water application, irrigation technologies and sustainable agricultural practices.

The Authority remains committed to supporting Kenya's journey towards a prosperous and food-secure nation through expanded irrigation development, in line with the Government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

The National Irrigation Authority is participating in the ongoing Kaimosi Agricultural Expo 2026 themed "Adopting Innova...
07/08/2026

The National Irrigation Authority is participating in the ongoing Kaimosi Agricultural Expo 2026 themed "Adopting Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture through Value Addition.

The Authority hosted the Chief guests of day one Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Forestry and Dr. Eng.Festus K.Ng'eno,MIEK,CBS Principal Secretary State Department for Environment and Climate Change.

The Authority has established a 1.3 acres model farm demonstrating modern irrigation technologies and climate-smart agriculture. Displayed irrigation systems include: sprinkler, drip, and basin irrigation systems under various crops including cowpeas (K-80), rice (NERICA 10 and IR/Sindano), bulb onions (Red Creole), spring onions (Green Bunching), cabbage (Gloria F1), spinach (Fordhook Giant), amaranth (Amaranthus dubius), beans (Nyota), capsicum (Commandant F1), tomatoes (Anna F1), arrow roots (Upland), sweet potatoes (SPK 004), murenda, mitoo (Crotalaria brevidens), and kales (Sweet Georgia).

The Authority is showcasing its mandate, irrigation technologies, and ongoing programmes where visitors are engaging one-on-one with the Authority's staff. Visit our stand and learn more on irrigation technologies and status of various irrigation projects across the country.

Address

Lenana Road, P. O. Box 30372
Nairobi
00100

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+254 722 321 653 ,+254 20 2711380, 2711468

Website

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