Cabinet Secretary Water Sanitation and Irrigation Mr. Zachariah Njeru, accompanied by Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho was earlier today attending a consultative meeting with the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Chaired by Hon. Bowen David Kangongo on consideration of Supplementary Estimates  for financial year 2023/2024 Nairobi.

PS Mr. Kimotho, Ag. CEO NIA Charles Muasya, Ag CEO John Muhia NWHSA and CFO Daniel Kihara are scheduled to make elaborate presentations on State Department’s projects which are meant to address key priorities.

  1. Increasing area under irrigation from 664,000 acres to 1,289,142 acres in 2028,
  2.  Increasing water for irrigation from 55.4 MCM to 2,379.2 MCM by 2028 and irrigated production for rice from 193 to 700 Metric tons & Maize 0.2M to 5.075 M bags (90Kgs).

The implementation of these projects will increase food production by promoting food security, create jobs, improve livelihoods and reduce country dependence on basic food imports by nearly 30%.

President Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government made a commitment to increase the irrigation projects and water sources such as dams. The government projects to build about 100 dams all over the country to facilitate these projects.

H.E President Ruto has also promised to ensure that the country will no longer import maize after 2024, stating that the country has the capacity to produce enough for domestic use as well as export purposes.

These projects will be vital in the realization of these goals.