Joel Tanui, Secretary for Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience and Irrigation Water Management, speaks during World Water Week 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden. [Courtesy]
Kenya is using data and digital technology to guide irrigation and water investments as it seeks to expand food production while managing growing pressure on water resources.
Secretary for Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience and Irrigation Water Management Joel Tanui made the announcement at a World Water Week 2026 side event in Stockholm, Sweden, where he discussed the Water Availability and Demand (WAD) Tool.
Tanui said Kenya must rely on accurate and timely information before putting more land under irrigation to determine where water is available and where new storage and irrigation projects can deliver the greatest benefit.
“As Kenya seeks to put more land under irrigation, investment decisions must be informed by accurate, timely and accessible information on where water is available, how much is required and where storage and irrigation investments can deliver the greatest impact,” said Tanui.
The WAD Tool combines satellite-based information, water accounting data and spatial analysis to assess water availability, agricultural demand, crop patterns, storage potential and water sufficiency.
The platform was developed through a partnership involving the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).