PRINCIPAL SECRETARY INSPECTION TOUR OF IRRIGATION PROJECTS IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY

Today, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, conducted an inspection tour of irrigation projects in Uasin Gishu County. He was accompanied by the Irrigation Secretary for Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience, and Irrigation, Mr. Joel Tanui.

He was received by the Chairman of the National Irrigation Authority’s Board Chairman, Eng. Gilbert Maluki; the CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS; the Director of Irrigation Development Services, Eng. Loise Kahiga; the Director of Irrigation Management Services, Eng. Jairus Serede; and other officials from the Authority.

Among the projects inspected were Chepkosom Earth Dam, Kerita Earth Dam, household irrigation water storage project in Moiben and the Tirwane-Tirone Irrigation development Project.

Chepkosom Earth Dam, located in Moiben Constituency, supplements the Lower Sabor Irrigation Project. It targets to command of 160 acres of land under irrigation, this directly benefits 80 households and indirectly supporting 400 households.

Upon completion of its rehabilitation, the project is expected to enhance food security and improve farm income for the community, thereby uplifting their socio-economic status through production of high-value crops.

Through diversification and increased income from the sale of farm produce, farmers are projected to generate an average gross margin of KES 200,000 per acre season contributing to the growth of the national economy.

The project will also support the implementation of drought mitigation strategies aimed at cushioning farmers against the adverse effects of climate change.

Kerita Earth Dam, on the other hand, benefits 200 households directly by irrigating 400 acres, enhancing food security and farm income within the community.

The Household Irrigation water storage Project, located in Tembeleo Ward, Moiben Constituency, is currently benefiting 153 households irrigating 110 acres of land—through the construction of water pans with capacities ranging between 1,000 to 3,000 cubic meters at a household level.

The PS expressed satisfaction with the progress made and commended the farmers for their commitment to using water resources efficiently to boost agricultural productivity.

Several farmers have already begun reaping the benefits of these projects, with increased agricultural production contributing to improved food security and nutrition.

Farmers’ incomes have also diversified and improved through the sale of produce, contributing to the national income.

These projects play a key role in drought mitigation and reduce farmers’ vulnerability to climate change-induced droughts.

The National Irrigation Authority remains committed to implementing irrigation projects across the country, aligned with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda, particularly on food security—towards a food-secure and prosperous nation.