Today His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto, PhD., CGH. President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-In-Chief of the Defence Forces accompanied by the Deputy President Hon. Rigathi Gachagua officially commissioned Rwabura Irrigation Project in Gatundu South Constituency, Kiambu County.
Present were the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Kenya, Her Excellency Ms. Christina Diaz Fernandez-Gil, Kiambu County Governor H.E Dr. Kimani Wamatangi, Gatundu South MP, Hon. Gabriel Kagombe and other leaders from the National government and Mt. Kenya region.
They were received by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water, Sanitation, & Irrigation Mr. Zachariah M. Njeru, EGH, Principal Secretary State Department for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, Authority’s Chairman of the Board Eng. Gilbert Maluki, Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS and other senior officials from the State Department for Irrigation and the National Irrigation Authority.
Rwabura Irrigation Development Project which was funded by the kingdom of Spain draws its water from Rwabura and Thiririka rivers. The project covers 1,500 acres benefitting 3,000 farmers.
The enterprises to be undertaken by farmers include horticultural crops such as cabbage, carrots, kales, and tomatoes among others and cash crops such as tea and coffee.
This is projected to improve the socio-economic status of 22,500 beneficiaries by among others creating about 7,500 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs, injecting 600 million in the farmers’ pockets.
Additionally, it will enhance food security and nutrition as well as exports in the country. This is in line with the agricultural transformation pillar of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The President was pleased with the work done and promised to support the implementation of Phase 2 of the project which will include construction of Rwabura and Thiririka Dams to put an additional 22,000 acres under irrigation. This will ensure the full potential of Rwabura Irrigation Project is realized thus increasing food production in the country.
The Authority continues to provide and coordinate sustainable development and management of irrigation services in the country with the aim of steering this country towards food security by ensuring every irrigable acre has water.