Kenya

Kenya has a varied climate, with arid and semi-arid areas in the north and east, while the central and western regions experience more temperate conditions due to higher altitudes.

Agriculture plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy, contributing about 33% to its GDP and providing employment for over 75% of the rural population. The sector faces challenges such as fluctuating rainfall patterns, frequent droughts, and soil degradation, which significantly affect smallholder farmers who are key to the country’s agricultural output. Despite these challenges, Kenya is a leader in agricultural innovation in the region, with a growing agritech ecosystem that aims to boost productivity, improve resilience, and create sustainable farming practices.

IWMI in Kenya

IWMI’s work in Kenya focuses on empowering smallholder farmers through the adoption of localized, science-based agritech innovations. Through Agritech4Kenya, IWMI supports the development and scaling of agritech solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of Kenyan farmers, helping to improve productivity and adapt to changing climate conditions. Additionally, IWMI explores the legitimacy of inclusive innovation processes, particularly through the perspectives of smallholder farmers in Uasin Gishu, ensuring that innovations are designed with their input and benefit in mind. By combining technology, knowledge-sharing, and community engagement, IWMI aims to create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in Kenya.

Projects in Kenya

Latest Kenya news

Coordinated investment in irrigation is key to Kenya’s future

Climate-smart, inclusive irrigation solutions empower Kenya’s farmers …

March-April 2025 Research Journal Roundup 

Roundup of research, journal and other academic articles from March and April 2025 …

New app envisioned to help farmers boost their agroecological practices

IWMI looks to citizen science to improve agroecology implementation in Africa and beyond …

IWMI and climate tech startup SunCulture establish landmark partnership to advance sustainable solar irrigation in Kenya 

The pioneering partnership aims to scale solar irrigation for climate-resilient agriculture and safeguard Kenya’s water resources …

Latest Kenya publications

Displaying 4 publications
Predicting turbidity dynamics in small reservoirs in Central Kenya using remote sensing and machine learning (02/16/2025)
Predicting turbidity dynamics in small reservoirs in Central Kenya using remote sensing and machine learning
International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 2025
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (4.83 MB)
Irrigation infrastructure quality management system toolkit for Sub-Saharan Africa using Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as a case study: volume II – parameter checklist (09/12/2024)
Irrigation infrastructure quality management system toolkit for Sub-Saharan Africa using Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as a case study: volume II – parameter checklist
2024
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (4.75 MB)
Irrigation infrastructure quality management system toolkit for Sub-Saharan Africa using Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as a case study: volume I – guidelines (07/30/2024)
Irrigation infrastructure quality management system toolkit for Sub-Saharan Africa using Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as a case study: volume I – guidelines
2024
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (2.28 MB)
Irrigation infrastructure quality management system toolkit for Sub-Saharan Africa using Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as a case study: technical report (07/29/2024)
Irrigation infrastructure quality management system toolkit for Sub-Saharan Africa using Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as a case study: technical report
2024
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (2.42 MB)