Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) projects in Kwale County

Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, today hosted the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Qimiao Fan, during a visit to successful Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) projects in Kwale County.

With the support of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), over 207 household water pans have been constructed in the area. The delegation met a successful farmer, Mama Mwaka, a dedicated FLID beneficiary who stands out as a shining example of how smallholder farmers are embracing market-led farming to improve livelihoods and strengthen food security.

FLID aims to promote inclusive, sustainable, and market-oriented irrigation development by empowering farmers to invest in, own, and manage irrigation systems. This enhances productivity, incomes, food security, and resilience to climate change. The National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan seeks to expand FLID by 250,000 acres through a Results-Based Financing (RBF) facility.

The team was also hosted by the Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation, Mr. Julius Korir, CBS, at the Mwache Multipurpose Dam Project. The dam will supply water to Kwale and Mombasa Counties, benefiting over one million people. Its irrigation component will expand the area under irrigation in Kwale County by 2,000 acres.

Additionally, the Principal Secretary for Forestry, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, guided the team through watershed restoration activities in the Mwache catchment, where degraded areas are being rehabilitated through tree growing.

Among those present were Irrigation Secretary, Eng. Vincent Kabuti, OGW; Deputy Director Resource Mobilization, Ms Florence Ndai, senior officers from the National Irrigation Authority; the Deputy Governor of Kwale County and senior County officials; senior officers from the State Department for Water and Sanitation and State Department for Forestry; National Land Commission; the World Bank Kenya team; farmers; and other stakeholders.