To be the leading institution in the development of effective and efficient irrigation and drainage systems in Kenya

To develop, promote and improve irrigated agriculture through sustainable exploitation of available irrigation and drainage potential in Kenya in order to ensure food security, create wealth and employment, therefore improving the living standards of Kenyans  

• Controlling and improving national irrigation schemes in the country

• Conducting research and investigation into the establishment of national irrigation schemes

• Designing, constructing, supervising and administering irrigation schemes

• Coordinating and planning settlement on national irrigation schemes

• Determining the number of settlers to be accommodated in national irrigation schemes

• Promoting marketing of crops and produce grown or produced in national irrigation schemes in liaison with organizations responsible for marketing of  agricultural produce and;

• Formulating and executing policy regarding national irrigation schemes in conjunction with the Water Resource Authority

For many years, N.I.B operated under the above mandate till 2002 when the board restructured itself following changes in government policy to focus its activities in;

• Coordination of construction and rehabilitation of major irrigation and drainage infrastructure

• Operation and maintenance Operation and maintenance of major irrigation and drainage infrastructure

• Administering land in the public schemes and providing technical advice to farmers

The NIB Corporate Plan was developed through a participatory process in which all stakeholders including farmers, the government and civil society were consulted. The drafting process was facilitated by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). The process included interviews, open consultations and workshops in which all the stakeholders participated. The key strategic objectives in the corporate plan are:

1. Normalisation of operations in the existing schemes through:
• Rehabilitation and irrigation and drainage infrastructure
• Restart of agricultural production installed schemes
• Sensitisation and capacity building of farmers
2. Long term sustainability of existing schemes through:
• Divestiture from non-core activities to other stakeholders
• Improving sustainability of each individual scheme and avoid interdependence
• Increasing farmers participation in Irrigation management
3. Expansion of irrigation development through:
• Assessing irrigation development in Kenya
• Developing new irrigation schemes

Achievements
NIB has achieved a lot since the development and implementation of its corporate plan. Among the notable ones is as follows

1. Revival of all the stalled Western Kenya Schemes (Ahero, West Kano and Bunyala)
2. Rationalisation of its staff establishment

History & Status
National Irrigation Board (NIB) was established through the Irrigation Act of 1966 (Cap 347 of the Laws of Kenya) and is a non-profit organization under the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI). The National Irrigation Board is also subject to the State Corporations Act CAP 446

The NIB was established in 1966 through the Irrigation Act (Cap 347) of the Laws of Kenya. The Irrigation Act specifies the functions and powers of the NIB, its governance structure and financial provisions, and therefore its corporate character. The NIB is incorporated as a non-profit generating corporate organisation in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. As a parastatal, the National Irrigation Board is also subject to the State Corporations Act which guides all state agencies in Kenya.