By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, June 15, 2026 - The government has intensified efforts to transform the Bura Irrigation Scheme into a commercially viable agricultural hub, with Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho Kimani leading high-level consultations with national and local leaders in Bura Constituency.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting hosted by Bura MP Yakub Adow, the PS said the discussions brought together officials from the State Department for Irrigation, the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), and local leaders to address key challenges facing the scheme and develop a roadmap for its growth.
Kimani said the consultations focused on land administration and planning, irrigation infrastructure development, stakeholder concerns, institutional coordination, and strategies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity while improving livelihoods for residents of Bura and neighboring areas.
“This engagement has provided an important platform for stakeholders to listen to one another, build consensus on sustainable solutions, and chart a clear path for the revitalization and expansion of the Bura Irrigation Scheme,” he said.
The PS emphasized that commercialization of the scheme is a key government priority aimed at enhancing food production, creating jobs, attracting private investment, and strengthening food security in the region.
The Bura Irrigation Scheme, located along the Tana River in Tana River County, is one of Kenya’s largest irrigation projects. Established in the late 1970s and commissioned in the early 1980s, the scheme was initially envisioned as a flagship food production project capable of transforming the arid and semi-arid lands of the coastal region.
However, over the years, the project faced numerous challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate funding, management difficulties, flooding, and recurring droughts. These setbacks led to a significant decline in agricultural activities, leaving large sections of the scheme dormant for several years.
The revival of the project gained momentum during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which prioritized irrigation as part of efforts to enhance national food security under the Big Four Agenda. The government invested in the rehabilitation of irrigation canals, water control structures, roads, and other critical infrastructure while expanding acreage under production.
The National Irrigation Authority also undertook modernization programmes aimed at restoring productivity and attracting farmers back to the scheme. These interventions helped revive farming activities and reposition Bura as a strategic irrigation-based food production zone.
The ongoing commercialization drive is expected to build on those gains by strengthening governance structures, improving land management systems, enhancing infrastructure, and creating partnerships that support large-scale agricultural production.
Officials said successful implementation of the planned reforms could significantly increase crop yields, expand market opportunities for farmers, and contribute to Kenya’s broader agenda of achieving food and nutrition security.
The government reiterated its commitment to working closely with local communities, leaders, and development partners to unlock the full potential of the Bura Irrigation Scheme and transform it into a sustainable engine of economic growth for Tana River County and the wider region.
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