Mwangi, Mercy Wagaitheri2026-01-282026-01-282025http://41.89.96.81:4000/handle/123456789/3416Water is a vital resource in agriculture, with its availability directly influencing crop yields and overall agricultural productivity. Much of Kenya falls within arid and semi-arid zones, Where Water scarcity poses a persistent challenge to farming. Rongai Sub-county in Nakuru County is one such semi-arid region. Over time, various agricultural strategies have been developed to address Water shortages. This study specifically focused on the adoption of three Agricultural Water Management Practices (AWMPs): rainwater harvesting, irrigation, and the cultivation of drought resistant crops. The adoption of these practices varies and is influenced by several factors, particularly socioeconomic factors and access to agricultural extension services. This research investigated how farmers’ education levels, income levels, and access to extension services affect the uptake of AWMPs by smallholder farmers in Rongai Sub-county. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, targeting a sample of l30 smallholder farmers selected from an accessible population of 6,230. Additionally, two ward extension officers from Visoi and Soin wards, along with an agricultural water officer, participated in the study. A proportionate sampling method was used for each Ward, followed by simple random sampling to select individual farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaires for the farmers and interview guides for the extension officers and agricultural water officer. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 22. The results showed a low adoption rate of AWMPs in Rongai Sub-county, at only 35.8%. At a significance level of 0.05, binary regression analysis yielded p-values of 0.557 for education level, 0.033 for income level, and 0.024 for access to extension services. These results indicate that while income level and extension services significantly influence the adoption of AWMPs, education level does not have a statistically significant effect. Based on these findings, the study recommends that smallholder farmers diversify their income through off-farm activities to enhance financial resilience and facilitate the adoption of water management practices. Furthermore, the government of Kenya, in collaboration with other stakeholders, should strengthen extension service delivery by investing in training and recruiting more extension officers.enSocioeconomicWater management practicesThesis