CS INSPECTION TOUR OF THE KAMBURU MBEU IRRIGATION PROJECT AND THE AKAIGA IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN MERU COUNTY.

Today, the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Mugaa, conducted an inspection tour of the Kamburu Mbeu Irrigation Project and the Akaiga Irrigation Development Project in Meru County.

He was received by the National Irrigation Authority’s Board Chairman Eng. Gilbert Maluki; the CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS; and other officials from the Authority.

The Kamburu Mbeu Irrigation Project sources its water from the Thanantu River and aims to irrigate 350 acres of land, benefitting 350 households. The project is expected to enhance food security, increase farm income for the community, and expand the area under irrigation.

It is currently ongoing and stands at 47.7% completion. Upon completion, it is expected to benefit approximately 2,450 people.

The Akaiga Irrigation Development Project sources its water from the Thangatha River and is fully complete, with 100% of the work finalized. It is designed to irrigate 250 acres of land, benefitting 500 farmers.

However, the project pipeline was affected by surface runoff in November 2023 and now requires rehabilitation works, as well as capacity building for farmers on operation and maintenance.

During the visit, the Cabinet Secretary and stakeholders present held discussions on the way forward in addressing all the challenges affecting projects implementation in order to fast-track their completion. He assured beneficiaries of his commitment of ensuring they are successfully completed.

The Authority continues to implement irrigation projects across the country to promote a food-secure and prosperous nation, in line with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.