Irrigation and Drainage Engineering Program Offered at Kenya Water Institute

Irrigation and Drainage Engineering covers all phases of irrigation, drainage engineering, hydrology, and related water management subjects such as watershed management, weather modification, water quality, groundwater, and surface water. 

Irrigation has been a central feature of agriculture for over 5000 years and was the basis of the economy and society of numerous societies. Irrigation can be termed as the artificial process of applying water to the soil to help in growing agricultural crops or maintaining the landscapes when there is a shortage of natural water by rain.

Irrigation is often studied together with drainage, which is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from a given area. water is required for agriculture. sometimes this water requirement is fulfilled by rain, but there are some dry areas where irrigation is the only process by which water is supplied to crops.

Irrigation and Drainage Systems Engineering is important since it helps determine future Irrigation expectations.

This Irrigation and Drainage Engineering course has been developed on a competency-based approach so that the trainee is able to acquire knowledge and skills that the trainee will apply in supervision, operation, and maintenance of irrigation and drainage systems and allied facilities.

Upon completion of all the modules in this program, the trainee should be able to:

• Apply skills required in problem-solving involving collection and analysis of data and implementation of solutions accurately and efficiently.
  
• Understand the principles of planning and design of irrigation and drainage systems.
• Apply skills required in the management of the environment and water resources and their related tasks.
• Construct and install irrigation and drainage systems.
• Apply skills required in management and operation and maintenances of the components within irrigation and drainage systems.
• Communicate effectively on matters related to the job and the environment.

The minimum requirements for admission into the Technician Diploma programme in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering are as follows:

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with an aggregate mean grade C- (minus), or
  
• An approved equivalent qualification may be from Kenya or from other countries.
• A minimum grade of C – or equivalent in each of the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry or Physical Sciences.

N/B Equation of international academic qualifications shall be done in consultation with the Kenya National Examinations Council.

The program takes three academic years with two graded industrial attachment sessions in the third semester of the first year and the third semester of the second year, each lasting 12 continuous weeks. Each academic year consists of 980 hours including theory, practicals, and self-study. The ratio of practice to theory is 40%: 60%. Industrial attachment is a core component of the program consisting of 420 hours per session.

Year I Semester I

• Algebra and Trigonometry
• Calculus I
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Surveying I
• Water Supply Technology
• Communication Skills
• Information Technology
• Mechanical Workshop Technology
• Engineering  Drawing
• Environmental Science
• Engineering Materials 

Year I Semester II

• Calculus II
• Chemical and Microbial Water Quality
• Geology
• Hydrology
• Mechanical Plant
• Construction Technology
• Hydraulics 1
• Soil Mechanics I
• Structural Mechanics I
• Waste Water Technology I/ Irrigation Tech
• Plumbing and Pipe Fitting

Year II Semester I

• Probability and Statistics
• Electrical Technology
• Hydraulics II
• Soil Science
• Irrigation and Drainage I
• Hydrogeology I
• Water chemistry
• Water and Environmental Law
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Land Shaping For Irrigation and Drainage

Year II Semester II

• Numerical Methods, Power Series
• Technical Drawing II (CAD)
• Drilling Technology
• Structural Mechanics II
• Measurement of Civil Engineering Quantities
• Soil Mechanics II
• Surface Irrigation Systems
• Principles of Management
• Construction Plant and Equipments
• Remote Sensing  & GIS I

Year III Semester I

• Complex Numbers and Matrices
• Environmental Management
• Estimating and Costing
• Remote Sensing & GIS for Irrigation
• Pressurized Irrigation Systems
• Legislation & Ethics
• Construction Managemen
• Entrepreneurship and Business Plan
• Project Planning And Management

Year III Semester II 

• Community Development in WRN
• Integrated Water Resources Management
• Hydraulic Structures
• Drainage of Irrigated Land
• Project
• Agricultural Extension
• Land Evaluation And Land Use Planning
• Applied Hydrology

Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) was established by the KEWI Act 2001 is mandated to offer training, administer examinations offer research and consultancy services in the wider water sector in Kenya.

KEWI has earned the recognition of being a leading institution in producing high caliber human capital for the water sector in ... read more