Irrigation in Kenya has a long history spanning over 400 years. Historical records show that irrigation in Kenya has existed for many years along the lower reaches of River Tana and in the then Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot and Baringo districts. Rice irrigation activities also existed along the river valleys around Kipini, Malindi, Shimoni and Vanga where slaves were used to construct the rice schemes in the early nineteenth century. Asian workers building the Mombasa–Nairobi Railway line also started some irrigation activities around Makindu and Kibwezi.

In 1946, the African Land Development Unit (ALDEV) for the first time focused on irrigation as part of a broad agricultural rehabilitation programme. The Unit, in pursuing its objectives, initiated a number of irrigation schemes including Mwea, Hola, Perkerra, Ishiara and Yatta. Cheap labour supplied by Mau-Mau detainees was used to establish these schemes. Most of the detainees were eventually settled in the schemes.

The National Irrigation Board was established in 1966 through an Act of Parliament (Cap 347) to take over the activities of ALDEV. The Board took over the running of Mwea, Hola and Perkerra. Later, the Board developed Ahero, West Kano, Bunyala and Bura schemes. The first three schemes were developed as pilot schemes in the 1960s and early 1970s and remain so even today. The NIB later expanded the Hola and the Mwea schemes and transferred the control of the Bura Irrigation Scheme to the Ministry of Agriculture. The Board has also facilitated research leading to the development of some public assisted irrigation schemes, such as the Yala Swamp and the South West Kano Schemes, which have been implemented by other agencies.