National Irrigation Authority

Happy Madaraka Day

Today, the CEO of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), Eng. Charles Muasya accompanied by other members of staff from Head Office and the Central & Lower Rift Valley Region joined the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Mr. Felix Koskei in prayer and thanks giving day at Kapsigilai Girls Senior School in Chemilil/ Chemase ward of Tinderet Consistuency, Nandi County.

The school falls within the Chemase Irrigation Project area where the CEO conducted compressive site inspection and community engagement yesterday. Apart from Chemase, he also inspected and engaged beneficiaries of Kaptemwua, Kapkoros and Meteitei Irrigation projects.

During the visit, the CEO inspected the Kapkoros Phase I infrastructure works including the sedimentation basin, main lines, and infield sprinkler system while also engaging with members of the local community on the progress and benefits of the project.

The inspection further covered the rehabilitation of the Chemase Irrigation System where the team interacted with farmers and discussed the impact of the rehabilitation works on farming activities and water distribution.

Additionally, the CEO assessed the repair works on the conveyance system of the Meteitei pipeline and later visited the Kaptemwua Irrigation Project to review the implementation progress of the ongoing works and engage farmers on uptake of the project once it is complete.

The projects beneficiaries appreciated the Authority for the ongoing works and pledged to ensure full utilization of the installed infrastructure once the projects are complete.

The CEO reiterated the need to fully utilize the installed irrigation infrastructure for food production to enhance household income and economic growth. He assured farmers that the Authority will continue to enhance their capacity through continous training in the best Agronomic practices.

Completion and full operationalization of these projects will immensely increase food production in the region and beyond as well as contribute to the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA) targets on food security.

Today, the CEO of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, together with other senior officials, hosted a high-level Namibian Delegation from the National Agronomic Board of Namibia at the Authority’s headquarters.

The delegation was led by Dr. Fidelis Mwazi, Chief Executive Officer of the National Agronomic Board (NAB) of Namibia. The meeting served as a follow-up to a sidelines engagement held during the recently concluded Africa Forward Summit, and it provided an opportunity for both institutions to deepen discussions on irrigation development and best practices.

During the fruitful deliberations, the teams explored various areas of cooperation and reached a consensus to fast-track the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will primarily focus on knowledge transfer, capacity building and reciprocal exchange visits for technical teams.

The Authority’s team was particularly impressed by Namibia’s successful “One Farmer, One Centre Pivot” irrigation model, which has significantly boosted smallholder productivity and agricultural commercialization in Namibia.

The Authority reiterated its commitment to fostering strategic regional partnerships for knowledge exchange and innovation in irrigation. Both parties expressed optimism that this partnership will strengthen irrigation development, enhance food security, and promote sustainable practices across the two countries.

Today, Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project held elections for the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) whose Chairman makes part of the Scheme's Management Committee(SMC).

The following were elected :
1. Francis Okotch Adinda (Chairperson),
2. Piuson Otieno Kombedoh (Vice Chairperson)
3. Sylvester Opiyo Sidungu (Secretary )
4. Silas Okumu Mukomba (Vice Secretary)
5. John Christon Omondi Okwach (Treasurer)

The election was overseen by representatives from State Department for Irrigation, National Irrigation Authority and Directorate of Social Development Officers from Siaya and Busia Counties. The elected officials will coordinate farmers in the larger Lower Nzoia Irrigation project inclusive of block 8 - Bunyala Irrigation Scheme.

As provided for in the Irrigation (General) Regulations 2021, the Committee is mandated to hear and determine:
(a) disputes relating to water use and distribution of
water between members of the association;
(b) disputes relating to the determination and payment
of an irrigation service charge;
(c) matters relating to contravention of the by-laws of
an association;
(d) matters relating to non-observance of the watering
schedule of an association; and
(e) appeals lodged against the administrative decisions
of the association management committee.

The Authority is committed to Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) in food production in line with Government’s agenda under Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda(BETA).

Today, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Irrigation Authority, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS hosted the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS accompanied by staff from the State Department for a public participation exercise on the proposed Gwa Kiong'o Earth Dam Phase II and Phase II of Githunguri Cascading Earth Dam projects in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County. Also present were national and County Government officials, local leaders and community members.

The proposed Phase II of Gwa Kiong'o earth dam aims to develop irrigation infrastructure to support 500 acres of irrigated agriculture and provide water for approximately 1,000 livestock, directly benefiting about 1,000 households.

The initiative is expected to enhance food security, boost agricultural productivity and improve household incomes through the cultivation of high-value commercial crops projected returns of approximately KES 250,000 per acre annually.

The rehabilitation of the Githunguri Cascading Earth Dam entails the development of irrigation infrastructure aimed at expanding the acreage under irrigation by 53 acres and providing water for 300 livestock. The project is expected to directly benefit about 300 farmers and generate an additional gross income of approximately KES 13.3 million annually.

Residents welcomed the project and requested support in capacity building on crop production, establishment and management of Irrigation Water Users Associations (IWUAs), formation and management of cooperatives and value addition for agricultural produce. They also appealed for fencing of the dam.

The PS affirmed to the beneficiaries that their requests had been factored in Phase II of the projects. He also advocated for inter-government collaborations to ensure maximum use of the dam.

The National Irrigation Authority continues to steer the country towards a food-secure and prosperous nation in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Chairman of the Board Eng. Gilbert Maluki, the CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS and other officials attended a stakeholders meeting on pending compensation issues for Yatta dam in Machakos County.

The meeting that took place in Matuu, was convened by the Machakos County Commissioner who was represented by Yatta Sub County Deputy Commissioner Mr. Edward Lelgo. In attendance was the area MP Hon. Robert Basil, National and County Government representatives as well as Mavoloni Cooperative Society and representatives of the affected landowners

The Authority is taking over the implementation of the project from Tana Athi Water Works Development Agency (TAWWDA). The dam is one of Authority's priority irrigation development projects covering about 30,000 acres and it is projected to hold 28 million cubic meters of water.

The meeting provided clarity on the outstanding land compensation issues and brought out amicable solutions that will see the project's implementation commence.

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

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS and Management hosted Dr. Inga Jacobs-Mata, Director of Water, Growth and Inclusion, and Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Strategic Program Director for Water, Food and Ecosystems, from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for a high-level consultative meeting.

The discussions focused on a multi-faceted approach to transforming Kenya’s irrigation landscape. Central to the talks was the implementation of climate-smart irrigation and water use efficiency, with both parties exploring ways to institutionalize adaptive irrigation scheduling and deficit strategies to maximize more crop per drop, specifically within resilient systems tailored for ASAL regions.

To modernize these operations, the dialogue shifted toward digital irrigation and decision support systems. The teams highlighted the integration of mobile-based advisory tools, GIS and remote sensing to create a responsive, data-driven management environment through the development of irrigation data dashboards.

Underpinning these efforts is a shared commitment to Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer, ensuring NIA staff are trained in advanced modeling while farmers are empowered with the practical skills to sustain these innovations.

The Authority continues to engage with global partners like IWMI to increase acreage under irrigation and support food security as espoused in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Happy Labour Day

Today, the National Irrigation Authority, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, joined the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, the Oloolua Restoration Initiative Patron in the “Run for Oloolua Forest” initiative.

The run which was flagged off at Turaco Camp in Ngong was intended to mobilize stakeholders, raise awareness and generate resources towards fencing and restoration of Oloolua forest which covers approximately 681hectares with a perimeter of 25km.

The event was graced by several senior government officials including the Chief Guest Dr. Chris Kiptoo, PS National Treasury and Patron Kaptagat Forest Restoration Initiative, Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, CBS, PS, State Department for Environment and Climate Change, several PS's and other stakeholders. Their presence reinforced inter-institutional collaboration and a shared commitment towards environmental sustainability.

The Authority sponsored a total of 100 participants drawn from the Head Office, schemes and regions to take part in the run and additionally, had a booth where it displayed various projects it has implemented across the country.

By actively supporting restoration efforts and engaging stakeholders, the National Irrigation Authority reaffirmed its role not only in advancing irrigation infrastructure, but also in safeguarding natural ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations.