Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho has been ranked among Kenya’s best-performing Principal Secretaries in a new nationwide opinion poll that cites his leadership in expanding irrigation, promoting food security and driving reforms in the sector.
The mid-year performance appraisal, conducted by Microtrack Africa in June 2026, placed Mr Kimotho among the country’s top-rated Principal Secretaries based on public perceptions of service delivery, leadership and implementation of government programmes. The survey interviewed 5,000 registered voters through face-to-face interviews across all constituencies using a multi-stage random sampling method.
According to the report, respondents credited Mr Kimotho with spearheading efforts to expand irrigation as part of the government’s strategy to boost agricultural productivity and reduce reliance on rain-fed farming.
The survey also highlights his role in advancing the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), a long-term framework targeting more than 1.2 million acres for irrigation development through public schemes, farmer-led initiatives and private-sector participation.
Respondents further cited his emphasis on accountability and timely delivery of major irrigation projects, including regular reviews of strategic programmes such as the Galana, Thuci, Radat, High Grand Falls and Turkwell projects to ensure value for public investment.
The report notes that under Mr Kimotho’s leadership, the State Department has promoted technology-driven planning through the adoption of the Water Availability and Demand (WAD) Tool, which uses satellite data and digital dashboards to support evidence-based water management and irrigation planning.
The survey also credits the Principal Secretary with attracting partnerships from international development agencies and private investors to mobilise resources for irrigation expansion, climate resilience and food security. It says his department has actively pursued public-private partnerships aimed at accelerating irrigation infrastructure while easing pressure on public finances.
Respondents further recognised his oversight of flagship projects such as the Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project, which is expected to benefit thousands of farmers by increasing agricultural productivity and enhancing household incomes.
The report links Mr Kimotho’s irrigation agenda to broader government efforts to strengthen climate adaptation through water harvesting, sustainable resource management and expansion of irrigation in arid and semi-arid regions.
Microtrack Africa says respondents associated the Principal Secretary’s performance with strategic planning, institutional reforms and a results-oriented approach focused on increasing irrigated acreage, improving water storage and supporting higher agricultural output.
The poll assessed Principal Secretaries using a Likert-based performance scale, with respondents evaluating public officials on service delivery and leadership. Besides Mr Kimotho, the survey ranked officials in the Roads, MSMEs, Water, Interior, Public Works, Aviation and other key government departments among the country’s top performers.
While opinion polls reflect public perception rather than official performance evaluations, the findings underscore growing public recognition of leadership in sectors viewed as critical to Kenya’s economic transformation, particularly agriculture and food security.
