Kenya sets ambitious goal to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2032

KENYA – Kenya has announced plans to halt rice imports by 2032 by completing pending large-scale irrigation projects designed to bridge the current deficit of 770,000 metric tonnes.

The announcement was made by Ephantus Kimotho, Principal Secretary for Irrigation, during a briefing on the country’s agricultural and irrigation development progress.

Kenya currently spends approximately US$300 million (KES 38.83 billion) annually on rice imports to meet the growing demand for the staple food.

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the country’s annual rice consumption exceeds one million metric tonnes, while local production stands at just 230,000 metric tonnes. This gap has placed a significant strain on the economy, prompting the government to prioritize irrigation projects to boost domestic production.

Kimotho highlighted several critical projects that are set to transform Kenya’s rice sector. The completion of the Bura irrigation project, including a gravity intake system and a 26-kilometer canal, is expected to save taxpayers KES120 million (US$ 927,357) annually.

Additionally, the recently completed Thiba Dam has already increased rice production from 190,000 to 270,000 metric tonnes. This was achieved by expanding acreage under irrigation in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme and introducing double cropping.

The Mwea Irrigation Project, one of Kenya’s largest rice-producing schemes, is also set to benefit from newly completed canals, further boosting output.

Kimotho revealed that the National Expanded Irrigation Programme, Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme, and Waga Machame Irrigation Project in Kwale County have collectively added 10,494 acres of irrigated land in the first half of the 2024/25 financial year.

Public-private partnerships to accelerate growth

To fast-track irrigation development, the government has embraced Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). One of the flagship projects under this model is the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, where private investors will cultivate 5,400 acres starting April 2025.

Once completed, the Galana Dam will expand the project to 200,000 acres. Successful pilot trials on 538 acres yielded 35 bags of rice per acre, demonstrating the project’s potential.

Two private entities, Selu Ltd and Al Dahra Group, have already expressed interest in the project. Al Dahra, a global agribusiness leader with operations in Egypt, Romania, Serbia, and the United States, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Irrigation Authority and the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) on February 13, 2025, to conduct technical studies.

Other PPP projects in the pipeline include the Thuci Dam in Embu County and the High Grand Falls Dam, which spans Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, and Tana River counties. The High Grand Falls Dam is expected to break ground later this year, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s irrigation expansion efforts.

Despite the progress, funding remains a significant challenge.  Kimotho revealed that the State Department of Irrigation requires KES50.75 billion (US$ 392M)  for the 2025/26 financial year but has only been allocated KES 18.863 billion (US$146M) leaving a deficit of KES31.886 billion (246M).

The development budget alone faces a shortfall of KES31.544 billion (US$244M), with KES25.617 billion (US$198M) needed from government coffers and KES5.927 billion (US$46M) from development partners.

Kimotho acknowledged delays in completing some projects due to inadequate funding. For instance, the Siyoi-Muruny Dam in West Pokot, the Umaa Dam in Kitui County, and the Lower Nzoia Irrigation Infrastructure Project, which are 77%, 74%, and 75% complete respectively, will now be finalized in the 2025/26 financial year.

Looking ahead, the government plans to rehabilitate 18,500 acres in Bura, expand irrigation by 34,900 acres, and complete the Mwache Dam by 2027.

Other initiatives include licensing 320 irrigation schemes, equipping 70 schools with irrigation facilities, and increasing water storage capacity by 13.3 million cubic meters.

The completion of the Siyoi Muruny and Umaa Dams is expected to boost irrigation capacity by over 10 billion liters while enhancing flood control through new dikes and check dams.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure Kenya achieves rice self-sufficiency by 2032, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening food security.

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