News

THE PRESIDENT OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES LOWER NZOIA IRRIGATION PROJECT PHASE 1-LOT 2 IN BUSIA COUNTY.

Today, January 22, 2025, His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto, PhD., C.G.H. President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces officially launched Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project Phase 1-Lot 2 in Busia County.

Accompanying him were the Deputy President Hon. Prof Kithure Kindiki, Prime CS Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Moses Wetangula and Busia County leaders led by the Governor Hon. Dr. Paul Otuoma other senior national and County Government officials.

He was received by the Water, Sanitation and Irrigation CS Eng. Eric Mugaa, the Principal Secretary State Department for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho CBS, the Chairman Board of Directors; National Irrigation Authority (NIA), Eng. Gilbert Maluki, NIA CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS and other senior management officials from the Ministry and Authority.

The President called upon the contractor to ensure the project is implemented within the set timelines so as to ensure increment of land under irrigation. He urged farmers to make use of the installed irrigation infrastructure for food production to support realization of the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda on rice production.

Its key components include construction of the main canal, secondary and tertiary canals, drains, farm development works, and scheme management facilities.

The project is expected to be completed by November 2025 upon which farmers are projected to generate an estimated annual revenue of Kes. 4.8 billion.

Additionally, 30,000 farmers have been trained on irrigation, marketing, value chain addition, irrigation schemes management and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

The project will help reduce the rice deficit in the country and significantly contribute to the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda on food security.