SDI MEETING WITH KFW
The Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, this morning reaffirmed the Government of Kenya’s unwavering commitment—through the State Department for Irrigation—to improving the livelihoods of farmers by providing both technical and financial support. This commitment is being realized through close collaboration with development partners, notably KfW (German Financial Cooperation), which continues to play a pivotal role in expanding irrigation development and strengthening climate resilience across the country.
During a courtesy call by a team from KfW, led by Ms. Maren Kneller, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy, and Ms. Kristina Laarmann, Country Director KfW, discussions centered on reviewing the progress of ongoing and completed projects and exploring new areas of collaboration under the Kenya–Germany cooperation framework in the irrigation sector.
The joint programmes under review have significantly contributed to Kenya’s irrigation expansion agenda. They include the Smallholder Irrigation Programme in the Mt. Kenya Region (Phases I–IV), covering Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru Counties with a total irrigated area of 6,773 acres; the Drought Resilience Programme in Northern Kenya (DRPNK), implemented in Turkana and Marsabit Counties, which is community-based and supports approximately 595,000 beneficiaries; and the Kenya Water Security and Climate Resilience Programme (KWSCRP – Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project) in Siaya and Busia Counties, which covers 6,000 acres. Additionally, the FLOCCA Programme, administered through the National Treasury, continues to support national-level climate adaptation and irrigation interventions.
These programmes have collectively enhanced water access, improved agricultural productivity, and strengthened farmer ownership and sustainability through innovative cost-sharing and blended financing models. The approach has encouraged farmer participation in operation and maintenance, improved resource utilization, and promoted organized farmer groups that achieve better market access and prices for their produce.
Looking ahead, the discussions identified three key areas for continued collaboration between the Government of Kenya and KfW. These include scaling up the Smallholder Irrigation Programme to additional high-potential areas, especially in Western Kenya; expanding the Drought Resilience Programme in Northern Kenya (DRPNK) to reach more arid and semi-arid counties such as Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo; and the establishment of an Irrigation De-Risking Fund to attract private sector participation and enhance blended financing for irrigation infrastructure.
The Principal Secretary commended KfW for its long-standing partnership and reaffirmed that these initiatives align closely with the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP 2025–2035) and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). He emphasized that such partnerships are essential to expanding irrigated acreage, strengthening resilience against climate shocks, and achieving sustainable food security for all Kenyans.