Gov't secures Ksh.3B German funding to boost smallholder irrigation projects

The State Department for Irrigation has secured an additional €20 million (approximately Ksh.3 billion) commitment from the German government to support the expansion of smallholder irrigation development across seven counties.

The funding was negotiated during the ongoing Government-to-Government Development Cooperation talks between Kenya and Germany in Berlin, where Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho advocated for increased support towards irrigation development as part of broader efforts to strengthen food security, climate resilience and agricultural productivity.

The negotiations, led by National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo and Joachim Schmitt, Head of Division at Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), focused on enhancing cooperation in irrigation, agriculture, food security, youth empowerment and agribusiness development.

In addition to the €20 million commitment, Germany pledged €2 million (Ksh.294 million) in grant funding for community engagement and project preparation, alongside a further €3 million (Ksh.441 million) for initiatives aimed at transforming food systems and enhancing food security through sustainable and climate-smart agricultural interventions.

The additional irrigation funding follows recent engagements between the State Department for Irrigation and Governors from the Western Kenya region, who expressed willingness to co-invest in irrigation development projects.

During the discussions, Kenya and Germany explored opportunities to deepen collaboration in youth-focused climate action and agribusiness programmes, particularly within the Lake Region Economic Bloc, while promoting greater private-sector participation in agricultural value chains.

The talks also emphasised the need for integrated project designs that strengthen linkages between irrigation, agriculture and trade to maximise impact and create sustainable economic opportunities for farming communities.

PS Kimotho highlighted the success of the Smallholder Irrigation Programme in the Mount Kenya region, noting that five irrigation projects — Miuka, Kandeki, Gatene, Magatianthi and Kiramanti — have been successfully completed.

According to the State Department for Irrigation, two of the projects have already been fully handed over to farmers and are currently operational.

The projects cover approximately 1,300 acres under mainly high-value horticultural production and benefit 1,540 farmers.

Annual farmer incomes are projected to increase from Ksh.12.4 million to Ksh.45.7 million, underscoring the role of irrigation in improving productivity, livelihoods and food security.

Officials say the proposed German support will further strengthen market linkages along agricultural value chains, facilitate coordinated investment planning between county governments and private-sector actors, and promote sustainable, commercially viable irrigation investments.

The negotiations reaffirm Kenya and Germany's longstanding partnership and shared commitment to advancing irrigation-led agricultural transformation, enhancing food security, creating employment opportunities and building resilient food systems that contribute to sustainable economic growth.