CONSULTATIVE MEETING BETWEEN NATIONAL IRRIGATION AUTHORITY AND NATIONAL COHESION AND INTEGRATION COMMISSION ON COLLABORATING ON IRRIGATION, WATER, EQUITY AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE .
The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS together with the management and senior staff, held a consultative meeting with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) led by the CEO Dr. Daniel Mutegi Giti and senior officers to explore areas of collaboration on irrigation development, water equity and sustainable peace.
The engagement highlighted NCIC’s mandate to promote harmonious coexistence and address structural drivers of conflict through inclusive development. Water was identified as a key source of tension in Arid and Semi-Arid(ASAL) regions, where competition over scarce resources often leads to displacement and conflict between pastoral and farming communities.
NCIC recognizes NIA’s strategic role in transforming water into a foundation for peace and development through equitable irrigation investments. Flagship projects such as the Bura Irrigation Scheme as well as Perkerra Irrigation Scheme were cited as examples of how irrigation can enhance food security, stabilize communities and support livelihoods.
The meeting emphasized that irrigation and water governance are critical enablers of Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), supporting agricultural productivity, value chain development, youth employment and economic stability.
Both Institutions agreed on the importance of structured collaboration, conflict-sensitive planning and community engagement to strengthen the peace and economic dividends of irrigation investments across Kenya.
A technical team from both Institutions was formed to work on a collaboration framework between them and oversee its execution under the leadership of the CEO’s.