Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding irrigation investment as a key strategy for transforming food systems, improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food security.
Irrigation Secretary for Infrastructure, Eng. Kabuti Kibugi, representing the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, made the remarks on Monday, August 31, 2026, during a high-level panel at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The panel, organised by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), AUDA-NEPAD, AGRA, the World Bank and AU-SAFGRAD, focused on the theme โWhy Water Matters for Africaโs Food System.โ
The session brought together government leaders, investors, researchers and private-sector players to discuss the critical role of water in Africaโs food systems transformation.
The discussions noted that about 90 per cent of agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is rainfed, while less than five per cent of cultivated land is under irrigation, making water security a major constraint to agricultural productivity and food security.
Eng. Kabuti highlighted Kenyaโs efforts to expand irrigation through the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), which seeks to coordinate investments, improve irrigation performance, increase farmersโ productivity and raise incomes.
โWater security is fundamental to food security, resilient livelihoods and sustainable economic development,โ Eng. Kabuti said, highlighting the importance of expanding irrigation and strengthening water management.
He further highlighted the Governmentโs focus on blended financing to leverage private-sector capital and support its ambition to bring an additional one million acres under irrigation.
The Government has identified irrigation as a key pillar of agricultural transformation, with increased investment expected to reduce reliance on rainfall and improve the resilience of farmers.
The State Department for Irrigation remains committed to strengthening partnerships and mobilising investment to expand irrigation and improve water management, with the goal of increasing food production and supporting prosperity.
Kenyaโs participation in the Kigali forum comes as the country seeks stronger partnerships and innovative financing models to accelerate irrigation development and contribute to broader efforts to transform Africaโs food systems.
