The anticipated outcome of these irrigation projects is to improve food security, and job creation along the agricultural value chain and enhance farmers’ resilience to erratic rainfall patterns occasioned by climate change.
In a significant stride towards enhancing Kenya’s agricultural productivity and economic resilience, President William Ruto launched various Irrigation Projects in Embu County on August 7, 2024, during his three-day tour of the populous Mt Kenya region.
The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, highlighted that the government invested Ksh3.49 billion on irrigation projects in Embu county, five (5) of which are complete putting 5,300 acres under irrigation and ten (ongoing) with the potential to put 3,906 acres under irrigation.
The anticipated outcome of these irrigation projects is to improve food security, and job creation along the agricultural value chain and enhance farmers’ resilience to erratic rainfall patterns occasioned by climate change.
The attention of the president was specifically drawn to the progress of Thuci Social Dam which is among the 100 dams under the Kenya Kwanza government.
President William Ruto during the Launch of the Iriari Irrigation project in the Runyenje constituency on August 7, 2024. /PHOTO
PS Kimotho indicated that a private partner is in consultation to submit a Privately Initiated Investment Proposal (PIIP) to develop the dam under the BOT PPP model.
The height of the dam is 84 meters and will have a water storage of 23 Million Cubic Meters, with the potential to expand the area under irrigation in Embu County by 16,309 acres supporting more than 7,000 farmers and providing power generation at 40MGW per hour.
President Ruto highlighted the irrigation potential to transform the agricultural landscape in the country reiterating that the government will continue investing in irrigation infrastructure to expand agricultural land under irrigation.
The State Department for Irrigation has since progressed well in increasing land under irrigation in the last one year, putting an additional 47,000 acres under irrigation and has also made progress on Public-Private Partnerships on water storage and flood control and toward food production.
The Galana Kulalu Food Security project is being done through PPP, a privately conducted model farm on 536 acres recording tremendous success of 35 bags per acre, according to the Irrigation PS who disclosed during a recent media interview.
Kimotho also outlined the progress of the Galana Dam which is being developed under PPP, whereby a private investor has concluded their technical studies for a dam with a capacity of 350 million cubic metres with the potential of putting over 200,000 acres under irrigation in Galana Kulalu.
“The project will unlock the national deficit in the maize value chain by producing 14 million bags of maize reducing the deficit by 40% and stabilizing Unga prices.
“Last year, the State Department for Irrigation signed a Project Development Phase for the High Grand Falls Dam with a private investor to build operate and transfer the High Grand Falls Dam project. The 5600 MCM Dam to be constructed in Kitui, Tharaka Nithi and Tana River counties will irrigate 400,000 acres and generate 1,000 Megawatts of hydropower and control floods along Tana River in Garissa and Tana River counties,” a statement sent to Viral Tea read in part.
Other dams which have progressed under the PPP include Lowaat Dam, Radat Dam, Gogo Dam, and Isiolo Dam.
Kyakivai, Kaiti, Kithinu, Olenkirionito, Karimeno, Naromoru, Mara, Rwabura, Thiririka, Thingithu and Kaben dams are also set to be implemented under the PPP programs.
“As Kenya continues to focus on sustainable development and economic empowerment, irrigation projects stand as beacons of hope and progress toward food security and resilience to climate change.
“The combined efforts of President Ruto, the Ministry and the local community are paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for Embu County and beyond,” added the statement.
