The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) is courting development partners for a multi-billion shilling partnership aimed at revitalising and expanding rice production in Western Kenya.
This emerged during a high-level tour of the Ahero Irrigation Scheme in Kisumu County by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, who was in the country to assess ongoing and potential areas of collaboration.
Speaking during the tour, NIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eng. Charles Muasya said the proposed partnership was geared towards expanding the land under irrigation at the Ahero and West Kano Irrigation Schemes.
The plan, he added, also includes opening up an additional 56,000 acres under the Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme in Migori County.
In a presentation to the visiting JICA delegation, Eng. Muasya emphasised that irrigation schemes in Western Kenya were central to the country’s rice production ambitions.
He disclosed that the total cost of rehabilitation and expansion works was estimated at Sh2.6 billion for Lower Kuja, Sh2.1 billion for West Kano, and Sh1.9 billion for the Kisumu Cluster.
At the Ahero Irrigation Scheme, which currently yields 6,930 metric tonnes of rice annually, Eng. Muasya said priority was being given to repairing ageing infrastructure to enhance water efficiency and mitigate perennial flooding that disrupts farming activities.
He noted that plans were underway to modernise and solarise the pumping station to reduce electricity costs, which remain a significant operational burden on the scheme.
NIA, he added, has identified 800 acres for expansion at Ahero, a venture expected to cost Sh550 million.
This expansion, combined with the recent introduction of four high-yield rice varieties developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), he said, was projected to raise production to 10,820 metric tonnes annually in the short term.
Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho said the push to ramp up rice production was part of a broader national strategy to cut reliance on imports.
He revealed that annual rice consumption in Kenya stands at 1.1 million metric tonnes, against a domestic production of just 293,000 metric tonnes.
“The gap is significant, and this is why the government is prioritising rehabilitation and expansion of schemes, especially in regions like Western Kenya where the potential is huge,” Mr Kimotho said.
He singled out the Ahero Irrigation Scheme as having immense promise, given the abundant water resources from River Nyando.
“With the planned Koru-Soin multipurpose dam, we can expand Ahero by an additional 30,000 acres, pushing production to 52,000 metric tonnes annually,” he noted.
To ensure the success of the expansion, the PS said the government will replicate agronomic best practices from Mwea—Kenya’s largest rice-growing scheme, which has recorded high productivity through improved farmer training, timely planting, mechanisation, and consistent water supply.
JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka commended the Kenyan government for its efforts to strengthen rice production as part of broader food security initiatives.
He affirmed JICA’s continued commitment to providing technical assistance, infrastructure funding, and capacity building for irrigation schemes not only in Kisumu but also in other parts of the country.
Dr Tanaka, however, emphasised the need for accountability and effective use of resources, urging implementing agencies to ensure every coin counts.
“I know funds are limited, but with proper planning and the dedicated team I see here today, we should be able to deliver tangible results,” he said.
By Chris Mahandara
