National Irrigation Authority (NIA)

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) is Kenya’s lead government agency for the development, coordination, and management of sustainable irrigation services. Established in 1966 as the National Irrigation Board and reconstituted under the Irrigation Act No. 14 of 2019, NIA plays a central role in enhancing food security and socio-economic development by expanding access to reliable water for agriculture.

The Authority designs, develops, and manages national and public irrigation schemes, while providing support services to private and smallholder farmers in partnership with county governments. Its mandate includes infrastructure development, technical advisory services, and capacity building for irrigation water user associations and scheme management committees. NIA also promotes crop marketing, storage, processing, and research on fair pricing for crops, livestock, and fish produced under irrigation schemes.

Guided by its 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, NIA focuses on sustainable irrigation management, water resource development, research and innovation, and governance. Through demonstration farms, workshops, and collaborations with universities, research institutions, and international partners, it advances climate-smart irrigation technologies and water-efficient practices that boost productivity and farm income.

NIA also engages with policymakers, the private sector, and civil society to strengthen value chains, attract investment, and facilitate the settlement of farmers on irrigation schemes. By integrating infrastructure, technical guidance, research, and stakeholder engagement, NIA enhances resilience to climate variability, reduces reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and supports Kenya’s journey toward a food-secure and prosperous nation.