Rwabura Irrigation Project is located in Gatundu South Constituency of Kiambu County. The area extends approximately 2.8km North East and 2.5kms south west of Gatundu town, and is bounded by Kikuyu escarpment to the North and Kiaora Estate to the South. The project area covers approximately 13.4kms comprising of twenty-six (26) sub locations. This include parts of the Gatundu South District and falls within three divisions namely Ngenda in the south, Kigano in the west and Ndarugu in the North. Two of the divisions (Kiganjo and Ndarungu) borders the forest while Ngenda borders coffee estates. The project is supposed to benefit approximately 20,000 households. The project was mooted by farmers in the project area after witnessing benefits accrued by the irrigation farmers in other parts of the country.
Main objective of the project is to determine and develop the optimal irrigable area within Rwabura and Thiririka river system through development of efficient conveyance and irrigation system including water storage reservoirs. The specific objectives of the project are:
- To improve the food security situation in the project are
- To improve the income levels of the local population
- To improve agricultural productivity in the area
- To create employment opportunities and promote growth of agro based industries
The project will entail:
- Review of design
- Intake weir and sedimentation basin
- Conveyance pipes-12Km
- Main lines-53Km
- Sub main lines -112km
- Irrigation kits-3000 farmers
- Project office
- Farmers training
The project aims at providing irrigation infrastructure for 1,500 acres that will support production of horticultural crops and fruits. The project is set to benefit over 3,000 farmers whose earnings is projected at Kshs.390 million value of produce annually and create employment for over 7,500 people.
The National Treasury has concluded the financing agreement having secured the legal opinion of the AG and awaits concurrence of effectiveness from the Spanish government. The process of disclosure to facilitate acquisition of the wayleaves has been concluded. Subsequently, PAPs for the project will be compensated as per the signed disclosure forms. The project has a completion rate of 5% as to date, with design review having been completed and presented by the contractor and approval granted for commencement of construction activities.
- Employment opportunities for the locals. The contractor is sourcing unskilled labour from the local communities
- Development of infrastructure, the roads connecting to the intake site have been graded for easier transportation of the materials to the site. This is a community benefit as well.
- Improved security in the area.
- Increased cropping intensity, increasing the amount of income earned by the farmers and thereby improving the living standards of the residents
- Increased food security in the area and in the country at large.
- Increased contribution to countries GDP through both local and export sales of the food products.
