NIA Hosts Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS for Progress Review of Kamata and Kanyuambora Irrigation Projects
Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS and other senior NIA officers hosted the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, accompanied by other leaders and senior government officials during an inspection of the ongoing construction works at the Kamata Irrigation Project in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County.
The team also visited several household projects and engaged directly with farmers on the benefits the project brings to them and the challenges they face.
The visit reviewed the project’s progress, currently at 40% completion, with major components such as intake structures, a sedimentation basin, HDPE conveyance pipelines, sub-mainlines, lateral lines and valve chambers advancing steadily.
The Kamata Irrigation Project aims to bring 420 acres under irrigation, directly impacting 420 farmers and over 2,100 households indirectly, thereby enhancing food production, boosting farm incomes, and improving livelihoods across the community.
Financial assessments show that the project is socially and economically viable, with an expected annual gross income of Ksh 105 million and a payback period of just two years.
Farmers are set to venture into high-value agricultural enterprises including tomatoes, vegetables, avocados, macadamia and passion among others.
As a key initiative supporting Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Kamata Irrigation Project is poised to strengthen food security, stimulate local economic growth and elevate the socio-economic wellbeing of the region.
The Authority remains committed to ensuring timely delivery and continuous farmer capacity building for long-term sustainability.
Later in the day, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS hosted the PS and his team at Kanyuambora Irrigation Project in Mbeere North. The visit focused on the progress of the project which aims to irrigate 625 acres and benefit 1,250 farmers using water from the Thuci River.
With works currently at 40% completion, the project funded by the Government of Kenya is set to boost food security, create over 3,000 direct and 6,000 indirect jobs, and contribute significantly to the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).