INSPECTION TOUR AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING FOR PHASE II OF THE KIIRUA BUURI IRRIGATION WATER PROJECT.

Today, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) hosted the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Irrigation and Sanitation, Eng. Eric Mugaa, during an inspection tour and public participation meeting for Phase II of the Kiirua Buuri Irrigation Water Project in Buuri constituency, Meru County.

The Cabinet Secretary was received by the NIA Board Chairman, Eng. Gilbert Maluki, NIA CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, area MP Hon. Mugambi Rindikiri, senior members of NIA management among other local and national leaders.

Phase I of the project was successfully implemented by the NIA and handed over to the farmers, who have since managed it effectively. The project management committee was trained by NIA during project implementation and is currently in charge of all the affairs on Operation and Maintenance of the project.

Since its commissioning by H.E the President in April 2023, the project has put 2,000 acres under irrigation and is currently serving approximately 3,700 farmers.

NIA CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS highlighted the remarkable success of the project, noting that it has increased farmers’ income to approximately Kes 800 Million per year, an impressive figure that serves as a clear indicator of a well-managed community-owned irrigation project. This demonstrates the impact Irrigation has to the economy. He further added that the Authority remains committed to expanding the project to put more area under irrigation and benefit more farmers across the region.

Buuri MP Hon. Mugambi Rindikiri urged the community to increase their membership in the project even as NIA begins implementation of Phase II.

In his address, the Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa underscored the government’s commitment to shifting the country from rain-fed agriculture to irrigated agriculture in order to ensure food security. He also emphasized the importance of today’s public participation in the expansion of the project, which will enable it to benefit even more farmers in the region.

All the farmers led by their chairman Lawi Kanyamu thanked the government for honoring its pledge and agreed to have implementation of phase II commence as scheduled.