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National Irrigation Authority

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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/

For complaints and compliments, send an email via [email protected]

29/10/2026

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Chairman, Eng. Gilbert Maluki chaired a meeting comprising of board members and management staff to appreciate one of the Board Members Eng. Laban Kiplagat, the Alternate to the Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture who is due to retire from public service later in the year and was attending his last Board Meeting.

Eng. Kiplagat retires after an illustrious 33 years career in the public service, including 27 years of significant contribution to the irrigation sector.

The members present commended him for his dedication, hard work, candid counsel and support, noting that his invaluable advice and guidance to the Board has contributed to the Authority’s positive transformation.

On his part, Eng. Kiplagat expressed his gratitude to the Chairman, the Board, the CEO, the NIA management and staff for their support and the valuable experiences gained throughout his career. He expressed pride in witnessing the growth of NIA and challenged the team to continue strengthening the institution and remain committed to excellent service delivery.

As NIA bids farewell to a dedicated public servant, we celebrate his invaluable contribution to the irrigation sector and wishe him a fulfilling and rewarding retirement. His legacy of service, mentorship and commitment will continue to inspire those carrying forward the irrigation development agenda. Happy Retirement Director Eng. Laban Kiplagat.

25/10/2026

Today, the National Irrigation Authority participated in the 23rd Edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2026, held at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

The participants from the Authority took part in the 42Km, 21KM, 10KM and 5KM races, demonstrating endurance, teamwork and commitment. Each participant was awarded a medal at the end of the event in recognition of their participation.

The Authority remains committed to participating in such initiatives as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), reaffirming its commitment to social responsibility, promoting employee wellness and fostering positive engagement with the wider community.

24/10/2026

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 to the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026, held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.

The delegation represented Kenya at this international forum, engaging global stakeholders across the entire rice value chain to explore advancements in production, modern processing techniques, trade, cutting-edge technology, and targeted agricultural investment.

The primary objective of the delegation's participation was to forge strong partnerships with Indian investors, technology providers, and industry leaders to accelerate Kenya's domestic rice production.

By establishing strategic technical and commercial collaborations, the National Irrigation Authority seeks to significantly lower Kenya's reliance on rice imports, boost productivity across public irrigation schemes, and strengthen long-term national food security.

A key highlight of the visit involved studying India's state-of-the-art agricultural supply chains, modern milling facilities, storage systems, and port-linked logistics such as those at Pattabhi Agro Foods Private Limited and Kakinada Deep Sea Port.

These operational models offer crucial benchmarks for NIA's strategic initiative to transform the Bura Irrigation Scheme into a large-scale, commercial rice production hub.

Moving forward, the Authority plans to execute targeted follow-up engagements with prospective technical partners and investors, subject to thorough feasibility studies alongside relevant legal, commercial, and environmental guidelines.

Ultimately, this international cooperation aims to attract private sector investment, elevate farmer incomes, generate job opportunities, and build a highly competitive rice value chain in Kenya.

23/10/2026

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) team led by the Ag. Director of Irrigation Development Services, Eng. Loise Kahiga, on behalf of the CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS received the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation, led by Chairperson Hon. David Bowen, MP (Marakwet East), for an inspection tour of the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project.

The committee inspected key infrastructure project components, including the Athi/Galana dam site, ongoing preparatory works, existing irrigation infrastructure- inlet canal, water reservoir, outlet canal, installed solar power plants, and the ongoing seed maize crop production at varying maturity stages.

A major focus of the visit was on the progress of the Athi Dam and its associated irrigation conveyance system.

This key component entails constructing a 305-million-cubic-metre mixed-type dam on the Galana River, alongside an approximately 60-kilometre concrete-lined canal designed for an avg. flow capacity of 50 cubic metres per second.

The Project aims to optimize agricultural productivity across 350,000 acres through targeted investments in crop, fodder, and fish production.

Aligning directly with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) this strategic initiative is set to significantly bolster national food security by targeting an annual yield of nearly two million tonnes of staple food grains and generating approximately KES 50 billion annually from enhanced agricultural output.

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).

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

https://irrigationauthority.go.ke/

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