National Irrigation Authority

22/10/2026

Today, NIA CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, EBS, accompanied the PS State Dept for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, Board Chair Eng. Gilbert Maluki and other senior officers for a visit to Kakinada Deep Sea Port & Pattabhi Agro Foods in Andhra Pradesh, India.

The delegation studied end-to-end models that connect large-scale irrigated rice production with modern agro-processing, quality control, and maritime export logistics, advancing Kenya’s food security goals under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Insights gained across the production pipeline from milling and storage to shipping will guide NIA’s efforts to scale up rice production at the Bura Irrigation Scheme and connect local farmers to processors, traders, and global markets.

20/10/2026

Happy Mashujaa Day

19/10/2026

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, presided over the signing of the cascaded Performance and Productivity Contracts (PCs) for the 2026/2027 Financial Year. The exercise brought together Senior Management, Scheme Managers and Regional Coordinators, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to accountability, efficiency and results-driven service delivery.

The Corporate Communication Unit, led by , emerged as the top-performing unit among all contractees, securing 1st position and receiving a trophy in recognition of its outstanding performance.

The CEO commended staff across all levels for their dedication and collective contribution towards achieving the Authority’s performance targets. He urged teams to sustain the momentum, build on the gains made and aim for an even stronger performance rating in the 2026/2027 Financial Year.

The National Irrigation Authority remains committed to expanding irrigated agriculture, enhancing food and nutrition security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. These efforts support the aspirations of Kenya Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Irrigation Act (Cap. 347) of 2019.

17/10/2026

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) continued to showcase its impact across the country at the 2026 Mashujaa Day Thematic Week Celebrations at Eldoret National Polytechnic, held under the theme “Security (Including Cyber Security), Sports and the Finance Sector (Economy).”

Currently, over 778,646 acres have been put under irrigation across the country up from 664,000acres in 2022. This has created an estimated total of over 3,893,180 employment oppprtunities and raw materials availed to various industries.

Across Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, the Authority is implementing 34 strategic irrigation projects targeting over 4,058 acres, benefiting over 7,500 farming households. Already, more than 1,600 acres are under irrigation, supporting over 4,000 households.

Through irrigation infrastructure, including earth dams, river intakes, solar pumping systems and boreholes, the Authority is advancing climate-resilient, year-round farming, creating jobs, strengthening food security and expanding market opportunities.

NIA continues to contribute towards sustainable irrigation development and food security through implementation of irrigation projects across the country.

17/10/2026

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA), led by its CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, alongside the Authority’s management, hosted the Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, accompanied by Irrigation Secretary for Land Reclamation, Mr. Joel Tanui, and staff from the State Department for Irrigation, during public participation exercises in Nandi County on October 16, 2026.

The morning session covered the proposed Kapng’ombe, Kapsigiryo, and Ndalat Dam Irrigation Projects in Mosop Constituency, where the delegation was received by Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Yulita Mitei, the Mosop Constituency MP, Hon. Abraham Kirwa, and other senior government officials.

In the afternoon, the delegation proceeded to the Kibarmos Dam Irrigation Project in Mosop Constituency, where the Chief Guest, Dr. Chris K. Kiptoo, CBS, Principal Secretary National Treasury, joined the engagement to deliberate on the proposed rehabilitation of the dam and its potential to transform agricultural production and livelihoods in the local community. The Chief Guest also visited the proposed Silanga Dam Irrigation Project in Chesumei Constituency, Nandi County, where discussions focused on the rehabilitation of the dam to enhance water availability and unlock the area’s agricultural potential.

The proposed Kapng’ombe Dam Irrigation Project will support irrigation across 43 acres, benefiting 172 households, while Kapsigiryo Dam Irrigation Project will unlock 2,320 acres of irrigable land for 9,280 households. The Ndalat Dam Irrigation Project will support irrigation across 17 acres, benefiting 68 households, while Kibarmos Dam Irrigation Project is expected to unlock 7 acres of irrigable land, benefiting 30 households. The Silanga Dam Irrigation Project will further unlock 20 acres of irrigable land, benefiting 80 households.
The proposed interventions across the five projects include reservoir desilting, dam rehabilitation, embankment stabilisation, spillway construction, installation of water intake structures, and development of irrigation distribution networks. Additional works will include catchment protection, perimeter fencing, safety improvements, and access road upgrades where necessary. The projects will also support the establishment and strengthening of Irrigation Water Users Associations (IWUAs) to promote community ownership and sustainable water resource management.

Collectively, the five projects are expected to unlock approximately 2,407 acres of irrigable land and benefit about 9,630 households. Once implemented, they will enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, promote the cultivation of high-value crops such as tea, coffee, cereals, and horticultural produce, create employment opportunities, improve farmer incomes, and reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture. The rehabilitation works will also improve water availability for livestock and other uses, strengthen resilience to drought, and mitigate risks associated with dam safety.

Public participation remains central to ensuring community ownership, inclusivity, and the sustainable management of irrigation infrastructure. These projects align with Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), contributing to agricultural transformation, food security, job creation, and improved livelihoods through sustainable irrigation development.

16/10/2026

Today, as the world marks World Food Day under the theme “Innovate today, Nourish Tomorrow,” the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) joined the celebrations at the Bura Agri Expo held at Bura Irrigation Research Station in Tana River County.

The Authority's exhibition stand was visited by Tana River County Deputy Governor H.E. Mahat Ali Loka, accompanied by county officials and other stakeholders. The Deputy Governor was impressed by the comprehensive display of integrated irrigation solutions that advance food security and economic growth in Tana River County and across the nation.

The Authority displayed climate-smart technologies, soil and water conservation practices, sustainable fodder production, mechanisation, post-harvest innovations, market linkages and agribusiness opportunities that contribute to the strengthening of food systems.

These efforts reaffirm NIA’s commitment to a food-secure nation, in line with its mandate to develop, manage and regulate irrigation for sustainable food security and socio-economic development in Kenya and as espoused in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

15/10/2026

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) is participating in the Bura Agri Expo and World Food Day 2026 celebrations under the theme “Innovate today, Nourish Tomorrow.” The two-day event which started today October 15, 2026 at the Bura Irrigation Research Station in Bura Constituency, Tana River County, is hosted by the Authority in partnership with other stakeholders. Day 1 of the expo started with a tree - growing exercise at Fayya Technical and Vocational College.

The Authority’s team led Ag. Director, Irrigation Management Services, Eng. Jairus Serede, on behalf of the CEO and Bura Irrigation Scheme Management James Kirimi welcomes farmers, producer organisations, government institutions, the private sector, development partners, financial institutions, researchers, agribusinesses and all stakeholders to the expo and World Food Day celebrations main event tomorrow October 16, 2026.

Come and learn about climate-smart agriculture technologies, sustainable fodder production systems, soil and water conservation practices, modern irrigation solutions, mechanisation, post-harvest management innovations, market linkages and agribusiness opportunities.

14/10/2026

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) is participating in the ongoing 2026 Mashujaa Day Thematic Week Celebrations at the Eldoret National Polytechnic, under the theme “Security (Including Cyber Security), Sports and the Finance Sector (Economy).”

The Authority has an exhibition booth where staff are interacting with visitors, creating awareness of NIA’s mandate, programmes and services contributing to irrigation development and food security.

Visit our booth and engage with us as you experience the Mashujaa Thematic Week running until October 18, 2026.

13/10/2026

13/10/2026

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA), led by its CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, alongside the Authority’s management, hosted the Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, accompanied by Irrigation Secretary, Land Reclamation Mr. Joel Tanui and staff from the State Department for Irrigation, during public participation exercise for two planned irrigation projects in Nandi County.

The morning session focused on the proposed Chepkongony-Kapkitony Irrigation Project in Aldai Constituency, while the afternoon session focused on Ndubenet Irrigation Project in Emgwen Constituency.

The proposed Chepkongony-Kapkitony Irrigation Project will involve rehabilitation of existing irrigation infrastructure, installation of a modern solar-powered pumping system, construction of three water storage tanks and expanding a gravity-fed ~30km irrigation network to benefit approximately 800 households and putting an additional 200 acres under irrigation.

In Emgwen, the proposed Ndubenet Irrigation Project will involve desilting an existing 86-acre reservoir, stabilising embankments, constructing a spillway, installing concrete water intake structures and developing water conveyance and ~30km distribution network to support irrigation across 928 acres.

Collectively, the two projects are expected to benefit approximately 4,500 households, enhance agricultural productivity in about 1,200 acres, strengthen food security and create employment opportunities.

Farmers welcomed the projects and allowed their implementation. They further pledged to utilize them for food production and economic empowerment through irrigation.

Public participation remains central to ensuring community ownership, inclusivity and sustainable management of irrigation infrastructure. The projects align with Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), contributing to agricultural transformation, food security, job creation and improved livelihoods through sustainable irrigation development.