OFFICIAL HAND-OVER OF THE WAD TOOL TO NIA

Today, the Water Availability and Demand (WAD) Tool was officially handed over to the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), marking a key milestone in Kenya’s transition toward data-driven and digitally enabled water governance.

The handover ceremony was graced by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation (SDI), CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, alongside senior officials from the SDI, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI). They were received by NIA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, the Authority’s management team, and staff.

Developed through a collaboration between NIA and IWMI under FAO’s WaPOR Project, the WAD Tool demonstrates how satellite technology and digital dashboards can address critical data gaps in water and irrigation planning.

The interactive platform transforms complex earth-observation data into actionable insights by enabling users to visualize water availability, assess agricultural water demand and crop types, identify optimal locations for on-farm water storage, and compare water supply and demand to guide investment decisions.

To support sustainability, select NIA staff have undergone targeted capacity-building sessions focused on dashboard administration, data updates, and system management. Following the handover, NIA assumes full ownership of the tool with continued technical support from IWMI and the dashboard developer.

The Principal Secretary, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, noted that the WAD Tool aligns with the Government’s strategy to expand irrigated agriculture through increased water storage, enhance food security, reduce reliance on imports, and attract investment in agro-processing. He added that access to real-time data will promote sustainable irrigation project design.

NIA Chief Executive Officer Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, emphasized that the tool will strengthen the Authority’s capacity to plan and implement viable irrigation projects, including improved mapping of rice-growing areas to support increased production and national food security.

The WAD Tool provides a strong digital foundation for smarter irrigation planning, efficient water resource allocation, and climate-resilient agriculture, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable growth in the water and agriculture sectors.