NIA HOSTS PS CPA EPHANTUS KIMOTHO, CBS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON GWA KIONG’O EARTH DAM PHASE II & GITHUNGURI CASCADING EARTH DAM PROJECTS IN OL KALOU, NYANDARUA COUNTY

Today, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Irrigation Authority, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, hosted the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, accompanied by staff from the State Department for a public participation exercise on the proposed Gwa Kiong’o Earth Dam Phase II and Phase II of Githunguri Cascading Earth Dam projects in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County. Also present were national and County Government officials, local leaders and community members.

The proposed Phase II of Gwa Kiong’o earth dam aims to develop irrigation infrastructure to support 500 acres of irrigated agriculture and provide water for approximately 1,000 livestock, directly benefiting about 1,000 households.

The initiative is expected to enhance food security, boost agricultural productivity and improve household incomes through the cultivation of high-value commercial crops with projected returns of approximately KES 250,000 per acre annually.

The rehabilitation of the Githunguri Cascading Earth Dam entails the development of irrigation infrastructure aimed at expanding the acreage under irrigation by 53 acres and providing water for 300 livestock. The project is expected to directly benefit about 300 farmers and generate an additional gross income of approximately KES 13.3 million annually.

Residents welcomed the project and requested support in capacity building on crop production, establishment and management of Irrigation Water Users Associations (IWUAs), formation and management of cooperatives and value addition for agricultural produce. They also appealed for fencing of the dam.

The PS affirmed to the beneficiaries that their requests had been factored into Phase II of the projects. He also advocated for inter-government collaborations to ensure maximum use of the dam.

The National Irrigation Authority continues to steer the country towards a food-secure and prosperous nation in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).