WATER IMPOUNDING AT THIBA DAM

The CEO National Irrigation Authority Mr. Gitonga Mugambi , EBS on May 24, 2022 officiated the lowering of Thiba dam gate to mark the official commencement of Water impounding at the Dam. He was accompanied by Kirinyaga East DCC James Wanyoike, NIA management, staff, mwea farmers leaders and JICA while the consultant and contractor were on the ground to receive them and witness this major milestone of the dam.

The CEO applauded the collaboration between the Authority and all stakeholders in the construction of the dam which has resulted to timely completion of the dam at Lower cost.

He noted that the dam was meant to cost 8.2Billion, but the Authority has completed it at 7. 8 Billion thereby saving 400 Million which he attributed to effective management and enhanced supervision.

In the coming few months the beneficiaries will start utilizing the installed infrastructure for food production as envisioned.

Thiba Dam will put an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation in Mwea to make the scheme have a cumulative of 35,000 acres and introduce double cropping of 35, 000 acres resulting to having 70,000 acres under irrigation in a year. This will cause an increase in rice production from the current 114,000 metric tonnes to 200,000 metric tonnes.

As a result of the increase in area under Irrigation, Thiba Dam is also set to inject more income into the local economy from the current KSh. 10Billion to KSh. 16Billion annually and create an additional 100,000 jobs leading to a cumulative 350,000 jobs in a year.Today the CEO National Irrigation Authority Mr. Gitonga Mugambi , EBS officiated the lowering of Thiba dam gate to mark the official commencement of Water impounding at the Dam. He was accompanied by Kirinyaga East DCC James Wanyoike, NIA management, staff, Mwea farmers leaders and JICA while the consultant and contractor were on the ground to receive them and witness this major milestone of the dam.